close in
The phrase "close in" can describe actions related to approaching, surrounding, or restricting movement.
Definition
B2General
(phrasal verb)To move closer to someone or something, often with the intent to capture or attack.
Example
- The police closed in on the suspects hiding in the building.
- The lion closed in on its prey silently.
B2General
(phrasal verb)To encircle or surround someone or something, making escape difficult.
Example
- The fog closed in, making it hard to see the road ahead.
- The enemy forces began to close in on the trapped soldiers.
B2General
(phrasal verb)To reduce the distance or gap between oneself and a target or goal.
Example
- She could feel the deadline closing in as the days passed.
- The runners were closing in on the finish line.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "close in":
close in onclose downclose outclose byclose tonumber closeclose reachclose to homeclose upclose the book onclosed periodclosing formclose one's eyescut it closeshut inclose rankstoo close for comfortshut the doorcase closedzoom inclose of playshut awayclose quartersshut downdraw nearopen upmove in onclosing timeclose to the wind