close in
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle in
Meanings
Surround so escape becomes harder
Why “in”? Walls close around something. What is in is held inside.
“The fog was closing in around us.”
“The police were closing in on the house.”
Don't confuse with
Close in means surround so escape becomes harder. Close out means end or settle a process or account.
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“The fog was closing in around us.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
close out
A contrast learners often mix up
End or settle a process or account
bask in
Same in pattern: inside
Take great pleasure in attention, success or warmth
be in
Same in pattern: inside
Be present at home or at work
box in
Same in pattern: inside
Surround tightly with little room
breathe in
Same in pattern: inside
Inhale air
build in
Same in pattern: inside
Include something as a permanent part of a design
buy in
Same in pattern: inside
Purchase a stock of something for use later
chain in
Same in pattern: inside
Hold someone or something in place using chains
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