close up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “close up” mean?
To shut something completely.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To shut something completely; to move nearer to someone or something.
To temporarily stop business or operation; to block an opening; to heal (of a wound); to not reveal one's thoughts or feelings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the context of business hours, 'close up' is common in both. However, for describing wounds healing, British English slightly prefers 'close up', while American English may also use 'heal over' or simply 'close'. The adverbial sense 'close up' (meaning from a very short distance) is identical.
Connotations
Slight connotation of finality or thoroughness in the act of closing.
Frequency
Fairly common in both varieties, with no significant frequency disparity.
Grammar
How to Use “close up” in a Sentence
[SUBJECT] + close up + [OBJECT][SUBJECT] + close up (intransitive)close up + [ADVERBIAL (e.g., for winter)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “close up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The newsagent closes up at half past six.
- The wound should close up cleanly in a week.
American English
- We close up the cabin every winter.
- His expression closed up when I asked about his past.
adverb
British English
- You need to examine the painting close up to see the details.
American English
- Seeing the Grand Canyon close up is breathtaking.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"We close up at 6 PM on weekdays."
Academic
Rare; possibly in medical contexts: "The incision began to close up within days."
Everyday
"Could you close up the house before you leave?"
Technical
In photography/filmmaking: "The director called for a close up of the actor's face." (Note: in this noun form, it is spelled 'close-up' or 'closeup').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “close up”
- Using 'close up' to mean 'reduce a gap' in a metaphorical sense (use 'close the gap').
- Incorrect spelling of the noun form: writing 'close up' instead of 'close-up'.
- Confusing 'close up' (verb) with 'close to' (preposition).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Close up' typically implies a temporary or daily closing (e.g., a shop at night). 'Close down' implies a permanent cessation of business or operation.
It is neutral but is more common in everyday and business contexts than in highly formal writing.
Yes, metaphorically. If a person 'closes up', they become silent and uncommunicative, often about their feelings.
The noun 'close-up' (or 'closeup') derives from the adverbial phrase 'close up'. It specifically refers to a photograph or film shot taken at close range.
To shut something completely.
Close up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkləʊz ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkloʊz ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “close up shop (to stop doing something permanently)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a shopkeeper putting a 'UP' sign on a 'CLOSED' door to indicate they are finished for the day.
Conceptual Metaphor
STOPPING IS CLOSING (e.g., close up a business); HEALING IS CLOSING (e.g., a wound closes up); INTIMACY/SCRUTINY IS PHYSICAL PROXIMITY (e.g., see something close up).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'close up' LEAST appropriate?