close down
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle down
Meanings
Permanently stop a business or service
Why “down”? A structure, a system, or someone's mood can go down when it fails.
“The factory closed down last year.”
“The toy shop closed down after rent rose.”
Don't confuse with
Close down means permanently stop a business or service. Close up means shut a shop or building, often at the end of the day.
Test yourself
“The factory closed down last year.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
close up
A contrast learners often mix up
Shut a shop or building, often at the end of the day; Move closer together so there is no gap; (of a wound or opening) heal or seal itself; Become silent or unwilling to share feelings
back down
Same down pattern: losing
Withdraw from a position
break down
Same down pattern: losing
(of a vehicle or machine) stop working; Lose emotional control and start crying; Separate something into smaller parts to understand it; (of negotiations or relationships) fail or end; Force a door open by hitting it; Decompose into simpler chemical substances
bring down
Same down pattern: losing
Cause something to fall or land; Make something lower in level or amount; Cause a government or leader to lose power; Make someone feel sad or depressed
burn down
Same down pattern: losing
Destroy a building completely by fire
cut down
Same down pattern: losing
Reduce the amount of something; Fell a tree by cutting at its base; Kill or seriously injure many people quickly
fall down
Same down pattern: losing
Drop to the ground from an upright position; (of a plan or argument) fail because of a weakness
get down
Same down pattern: losing
Descend or lower yourself; Depress someone emotionally; Capture in writing or recording; Swallow food, drink, or medicine, especially with difficulty; Begin to focus seriously on a task
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