Phrase guide

close down

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /kləʊzˈdaʊn/
  • Canada, US: /kloʊzˈdaʊn/
  • Australian: /kləʉzˈdæɔn/
  • rhymes with -aʊn

1

verb

Meaning 1

To stop trading as a business.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

Examples

  • The local factory will close down soon, unless sales pick up.
  • They had to close the mine down as it was in a dangerous condition.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: close one's doors, close up, shut down, shutter, shut up

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To surround someone, as to impede their movement.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • If anyone passes to Smith, close him down.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: shut down

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

cease to operate or cause to cease operating

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The owners decided to move and to close the factory
  • My business closes every night at 8 P.M.
  • close up the shop

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: close up, close, fold, shut down

Antonyms: none provided

Narrower terms: adjourn, withdraw, retire

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 結業 /结业 (jiéyè) — to stop trading
  • Finnish: sulkea — to stop trading
  • Finnish: lopettaa — to stop trading
  • Finnish: lakkauttaa — to stop trading
  • French: fermer — to stop trading
  • French: faire fermer — to stop trading
  • German: (endgültig) schließen — to stop trading
  • Malay: gulung tikar — to stop trading
  • Spanish: cerrar — to stop trading
  • Spanish: clausurar — to stop trading
  • Swedish: stänga — to stop trading
  • Swedish: slå igen — to stop trading
  • Swedish: lägga ned — to stop trading
  • Vietnamese: đóng cửa — to stop trading
  • Chinese Mandarin: 圍困 /围困 (wéikùn) — to surround
  • Finnish: piirittää — to surround
  • Swedish: blockera — to surround