close with: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal, Military, Literary, Business
Quick answer
What does “close with” mean?
To engage in physical combat or finalize an agreement with someone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To engage in physical combat or finalize an agreement with someone; to move nearer to something to join or meet it.
To bring something to a conclusion or final stage, particularly through agreement, combat, or physical proximity. Also, to end a relationship or interaction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'engage in combat' sense is more common in British historical or literary contexts. The 'finalize agreement' sense is equally used in business contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
In the UK, 'close with' in combat can carry a slightly archaic or formal tone. In the US, it is almost exclusively found in historical or military writing.
Frequency
Overall low frequency. Slightly higher frequency in UK English for the combat sense in formal registers.
Grammar
How to Use “close with” in a Sentence
Subject + close with + Object (enemy/company)Subject + close + Object (deal) + with + AgentVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “close with” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The infantry regiment prepared to close with the opposing force.
- After months of negotiation, we are ready to close with the French consortium.
American English
- The marines were ordered to close with and destroy the enemy position.
- Our legal team will close with the other party's lawyers tomorrow.
adverb
British English
- N/A for this phrasal verb. The adverb 'close' is separate.
American English
- N/A for this phrasal verb. The adverb 'close' is separate.
adjective
British English
- N/A for this phrasal verb. The adjective 'close' is separate.
American English
- N/A for this phrasal verb. The adjective 'close' is separate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to signify finalizing a contract or deal. 'We aim to close with the supplier by Friday.'
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical or military studies texts describing troop movements or engagements.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Might be used humorously or metaphorically (e.g., 'I closed with my opponent in a fierce debate').
Technical
Primarily in military doctrine or historical reenactment contexts describing combat initiation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “close with”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “close with”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “close with”
- Using 'close to' instead of 'close with' for agreements (e.g., 'We closed to the deal' is wrong).
- Using the inseparable combat pattern for the separable agreement pattern (e.g., 'We closed the enemy with' is wrong).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's relatively rare and formal. It's mostly used in specific business or historical/literary contexts.
Not directly. You 'close a letter with' a phrase (e.g., 'I close with best wishes'). The structure here is 'close [object] with', not the inseparable phrasal verb.
'Close to' indicates physical or emotional proximity (near, intimate). 'Close with' indicates an active process of finalizing or engaging, often in combat or business.
Yes, typically. UK English uses /wɪð/ more consistently. US English can use either /wɪθ/ or /wɪð/, with /wɪθ/ being more common in the northern US and /wɪð/ in the southern and midland US.
To engage in physical combat or finalize an agreement with someone.
Close with is usually formal, military, literary, business in register.
Close with: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkləʊz wɪð/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkloʊz wɪθ/ or /ˈkloʊz wɪð/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To close with a bang (to end spectacularly)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a door CLOSing, and you are WITH the person on the other side, either shaking hands (deal) or fighting (combat).
Conceptual Metaphor
AGREEMENT/COMBAT IS PROXIMITY (Finalizing something or fighting requires coming directly together).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'close with' used CORRECTLY?