put up the shutters
The phrase "put up the shutters" can refer to closing a business or adopting a defensive strategy in cricket.
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Definition
B2Business
(idiomatic)To close a business either at the end of the day or permanently.
Example
- After 30 years of service, the local bakery decided to put up the shutters for good.
- Every evening at 6 PM, the shopkeeper puts up the shutters.
C1Cricket
(sports, idiomatic)To bat defensively in the final innings to force a draw when winning is not possible.
Example
- With no chance of victory, the team decided to put up the shutters and secure a draw.
B1General
(literal)To close or cover the shutters of a building, typically for protection or to indicate closure.
Example
- As the storm approached, they put up the shutters to protect the windows.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "put up the shutters":
shut up shopshut awayshut the doorshut downclose downshut outdraw the curtainsshut offshut inbatten downring down the curtainput upclam upclose one's eyespull up stumpscork uphush upclose outshut uphole upblock upshit up