# close up

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/close-up
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to shut a business

phrasal verb · CEFR B1

to shut a shop or business at the end of the day or for a long time.

For teachers: to cease operations of a business or building, either for a temporary period or permanently.

- The baker usually starts to close up the shop around five o'clock.
- After forty years of service, the family decided to close up the hardware store and retire to the coast.

### 2. to move closer

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to move closer together to fill an empty space.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to heal

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to stop talking

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to stop sharing your feelings or to stop talking suddenly.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. photography/film

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Usually written with a hyphen (close-up) when used as a noun.

## Examples

- The soldiers were told to close up the line.
- The shopkeeper usually starts to close up the store around five o'clock in the evening.
- As the marathon runners approached the final stretch, the lead group began to close up, leaving no room for late challengers to pass.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: distinguish between the physical movement of closing a gap and the functional act of closing a business for the night.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.