close quarters: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Literary, Military
Quick answer
What does “close quarters” mean?
A situation where people or things are extremely near to each other, with little space in between.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A situation where people or things are extremely near to each other, with little space in between.
Used to describe combat or confrontation at very short range, or any situation of cramped proximity forcing intense interaction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in meaning, but the phrase is more strongly associated with historical/military writing in both varieties.
Connotations
Primarily connotes combat, danger, and forced, uncomfortable proximity.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both, slightly higher in UK due to historical naval tradition.
Grammar
How to Use “close quarters” in a Sentence
at close quartersfighting at close quartersin close quartersVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “close quarters” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The soldiers were forced to close quarters with the enemy.
American English
- The marines closed quarters during the shipboard raid.
adverb
British English
- They fought close quarters.
American English
- The police engaged the suspect close quarters.
adjective
British English
- It was a brutal close-quarters confrontation.
American English
- He specializes in close-quarters battle tactics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'The merger forced the rival teams to work in close quarters, creating tension.'
Academic
Used in historical/military studies. 'The infantry was trained for combat at close quarters.'
Everyday
Describing cramped living/working conditions. 'Living in such close quarters with my flatmates is challenging.'
Technical
Specific term in military tactics and historical re-enactment.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “close quarters”
- Using singular 'quarter' (incorrect). Saying 'in a close quarter'. Confusing with 'close' as in 'shut'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Always plural: 'quarters'.
Yes, it often describes cramped living or working conditions that lead to tension.
'At' as in 'at close quarters'. 'In' is also used, especially for living situations.
It originates from 18th-century naval warfare, referring to the cramped spaces on a ship where sailors would fight boarders.
A situation where people or things are extremely near to each other, with little space in between.
Close quarters is usually formal, literary, military in register.
Close quarters: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkləʊs ˈkwɔːtəz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkloʊs ˈkwɔːrtərz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “At close quarters (the most common usage)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of sailors on an old warship, fighting in the CLOSE (cramped) QUARTERS (living/combat areas) of the vessel.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS PHYSICAL PROXIMITY / INTIMACY IS DANGER
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common correct usage of 'close quarters'?