ENGLISH
REFERENCE

close out

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to finish or complete something, especially a period of time, a deal, or a business account.

phr. v.. to bring something to a definitive conclusion; specifically used in financial contexts to settle an account or in retail to sell off remaining stock.


SIMPLE

We need to close out the month with strong sales.

CONTEXTUAL

The team worked late on Friday to close out the remaining tasks before the holiday break.

COMPLEX

The investment firm decided to close out its position in the tech sector after the quarterly earnings report failed to meet expectations.

Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
close + (object) + out
Usage

often used in business, accounting, and sports to describe the final actions of a period.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'close' (general) and 'finish up'; 'close out' implies a formal ending or a final settlement of details.

Pitfall

We closed out it yesterday.We closed it out yesterday.when using a pronoun like 'it', it must go between the verb and the particle.

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