closed shop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, legal, industrial relations, political discourse
Quick answer
What does “closed shop” mean?
A workplace or company where only union members are allowed to be employed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A workplace or company where only union members are allowed to be employed.
More broadly, any organization, system, or group that restricts membership or participation to a select, exclusive set of individuals, effectively barring outsiders.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties, but its legal reality differs. In the UK, closed shops were historically common but heavily restricted by laws in the 1980s and 1990s. In the US, closed shops are generally illegal under federal law (Taft-Hartley Act), though "union shops" (where one must join after hiring) exist in some states.
Connotations
In both, it can be negative (seen as coercive, restrictive) or positive (seen as protecting workers' rights and solidarity), depending on political viewpoint.
Frequency
Higher frequency in historical and political/economic texts discussing labour law. Less common in everyday conversation unless discussing unions or specific industries.
Grammar
How to Use “closed shop” in a Sentence
[Company/Industry] is/operates as a closed shop.The union insisted on a closed shop.Laws were passed to outlaw the closed shop.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “closed shop” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The print industry was notorious for its closed shops throughout the 1970s.
- The new legislation aimed to break the power of the closed shop in dockyards.
American English
- While largely illegal, some argue the construction trades still operate like a closed shop in certain cities.
- The agency was accused of being a closed shop for graduates from a handful of elite universities.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in HR and industrial relations regarding hiring practices and union contracts.
Academic
Featured in economics, political science, and labour history papers.
Everyday
Used metaphorically to complain about any group perceived as exclusive (e.g., 'Getting into that club is like a closed shop').
Technical
Precise legal term in employment and labour law statutes and case law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “closed shop”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “closed shop”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “closed shop”
- Using 'closed shop' to mean a shop that is shut for the day. Confusing it with 'union shop' (join after hire) vs. 'closed shop' (must be member *before* hire).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'closed shop' requires workers to *already be* union members *before* they are hired. A 'union shop' allows hiring of non-members but requires them to *join the union* *after* they are hired, usually after a probationary period.
Yes, metaphorically. It can describe any exclusive group or system that is difficult for outsiders to enter, such as a prestigious academic department, a social club, or a political party's inner circle.
It sits at the heart of debates about individual rights vs. collective power. Supporters see it as essential for union strength and worker solidarity. Opponents see it as coercive, infringing on an individual's right not to associate and potentially creating labour monopolies.
An 'open shop' is a workplace where employment is not conditional on union membership or dues payment. This is often protected by 'right-to-work' laws in some US states.
A workplace or company where only union members are allowed to be employed.
Closed shop is usually formal, legal, industrial relations, political discourse in register.
Closed shop: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkləʊzd ˈʃɒp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkloʊzd ˈʃɑːp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a closed shop. (metaphorical use)”
- “Run something as a closed shop.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a shop with a CLOSED sign on the door, and a union card is the only key to get in.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WORKPLACE/ORGANIZATION IS A RESTRICTED MEMBERS-ONLY CLUB.
Practice
Quiz
In modern US labour law, a 'closed shop' is primarily: