close up

B2 · Upper Intermediate

phr.v. to move closer together to fill an empty space.

phr.v. to reduce or eliminate a gap between people or objects by moving closer together.

“The soldiers were told to close up the line so there were no gaps.”

“As the marathon reached its final mile, the lead runners began to close up the distance between themselves and the pace car.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Medicine

phr.v. when the edges of a cut or wound join together and start to get better.

phr.v. of a wound or aperture: to heal or become blocked by the joining of edges.

“The doctor said the cut was small enough to close up on its own.”

“The surgeon monitored the incision closely to ensure the tissue would close up without excessive scarring or infection.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

phr.v. to stop sharing your feelings or to stop talking suddenly.

phr.v. to become uncommunicative or secretive; to refuse to speak further about a topic.

“Whenever I ask about his childhood, he seems to close up and change the subject.”

“The witness began to close up under aggressive questioning, providing only one-word answers to the defence attorney.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Computing

n. a photograph or film shot taken from very near to the person or object.

n. a photograph or film sequence taken at short range, showing a subject in great detail.

“The director wanted a close-up of the actress to show her sad expression.”

“The documentary features a stunning close-up of a rare butterfly emerging from its chrysalis in the rainforest.”