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单词 closeness
释义
closeclose2 /kləʊs $ kloʊs/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective (comparative closer, superlative closest) Entry menu
MENU FOR closeclose1 near2 near in time3 likely to happen4 like/love5 similar6 careful7 number/amount8 competition/election etc9 close relation/relative10 very nearly bad11 almost12 keep in close contact/touch13 work/talk together14 with little space15 close/you’re close/that’s close16 close to the bone17 close, but no cigar18 too close for comfort19 close to home20 at close quarters21 weather22 unwilling to talk about something23 unwilling to spend money24 a close shave25 close work26 close vowel
Word Origin
WORD ORIGINclose2
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French clos, from Latin clausus, past participle of claudere; ➔ CLOSE1
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
  • Dad and I have always been very close.
  • I'm still very close to my parents.
  • It turns out that Julie is a close friend of my cousin Kelly.
  • Mom and I are a lot closer now than we were when I was a teenager.
  • My sister and I used to argue a lot, but now we're very close.
  • On closer examination of the facts it became clear that the boy was innocent.
  • Our birthdays are close together.
  • Our job requires close contact with the sales manager.
  • She was never very close to her stepmother.
  • Take a close look at this photograph.
  • The grocery store on Victory Boulevard is closer.
  • The school encourages close partnerships between teachers and parents.
  • We have always been a close family.
  • We haven't finished remodeling the kitchen yet, but we're close.
  • What we need now is closer cooperation between the sales and marketing staffs.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
  • Are they in good condition, especially those close to the house?
  • Bormann followed the simple principle of always remaining in the closest proximity to the source of all grace and favor.
  • But the Gulf of California is closer than you think, and currently under assault by everything from pollution to poaching.
  • Federal Trade Commission officials would not comment on the deal, but are expected by industry experts to give it close scrutiny.
  • Is there some one he would listen to, such as a close friend or relative?
  • It is important that the close link with the local authority remains.
  • Rosen has worked politically for Kennedy since his 1980 presidential primary run and developed a close friendship with the senator.
  • Snowden's close reasoning and unerring instinct for words were allied with Maxton's humour and Churchill's daring.
Thesaurus
THESAURUS
adjective almost the same: · Jo said she’d had a similar experience.· The colours are very similar, but I like this one best.
preposition similar to something or someone else: · It tastes a little like chicken.· She still looks like a teenager.
adjective [not before noun] very similar – used especially about the way people look or behave: · She and her sister look alike.· Lawyers are all alike - I don’t trust them.
adjective very similar: · The film bears a close resemblance to real life (=is very similar).· The painting is remarkably close to the original.
very similar: · The glass is still made in much the same way as it was 100 years ago.· People are much the same, wherever you go.· She still looks very much the same.
adjective exactly the same: · The two computers were identical in design.· identical names
adjective having the same colour, style, pattern etc as something else – used about clothes or furniture that you wear or use together: · She wore matching silver shoes and handbag.· a dining table and matching chairs
formal fairly similar to something: · These dialects are akin to Arabic, though different in several respects.
Longman Language Activatoralmost a number, time, or amount
use this to say that something is a little less than a number or amount, or a little before a particular time. Almost and nearly have the same meaning, but almost is much more common than nearly in American English. In British English both words are common: · I've been a teacher for nearly 10 years now.· We had money and almost $1000 in traveler's checks.· John is three years old and Sally is almost six.very nearly: · It's very nearly time to go home.
use this when you want to emphasize that something is a little less than a number or amount, or a little before a particular time: · "Is he 60?" "Not quite!"· It's not quite time to go yet.
also close on British almost a particular number, amount, especially a surprisingly large one, or almost a particular time, especially a very late time: · The government spends close to $100 billion a year on education.· There must be close to a hundred people in the hall.· We drove close on 500 miles Saturday.· It was close on midnight by the time they got home.
almost a particular number, amount, time etc, and still increasing or getting nearer to that number, amount, time etc: · In the North East, the unemployment rate is now nearing 20 percent.be fast approaching (=very nearly a particular time): · By now the winter was fast approaching, and further travel would soon be inadvisable.
British informal to be almost a particular time, age, or period of time: it's getting on for something: · It's getting on for 10 years since we last saw each other.· It must be getting on for lunch time. I'm starving.somebody is getting on for 40, 50 etc (=use this when guessing an older person's age): · "How old's Diane?" "She must be getting on for 50."
informal to be almost forty, fifty etc - use this when you are guessing an older person's age : · Burt's probably pushing 50 by now.
when something is almost true
· His hair was almost white.· The moon was almost full that night.· Persuading Paul to change his mind is nearly impossible.
not completely, but almost - use this to say that something is not true, but it is almost true: · That's a good answer but it's not quite correct.· It's not quite red, it's more like a maroon color.· The orbits of the planets are almost circular, but not quite.
very nearly: · The cupboard was practically empty.· Carbon fibre tennis racquets are virtually unbreakable.· She looks practically the same as his last girlfriend.
especially spoken very nearly - use this when saying that the difference is not important: · All the rooms are more or less the same size.· His jacket was pretty much the same colour as his trousers.· Until the 18th century, the region remained more or less independent.
if a guess at a number, amount etc is close , it is almost correct but not exactly right: · "I reckon he's about 65." "You're close - he's 67."
when something almost happens but does not
· I was laughing so hard I almost fell out of my chair.· The terrorists almost succeeded in blowing up the President's limousine.very nearly · She was very lucky. She very nearly lost her life.
to almost do something or almost be in a particular state: come close/near to doing something: · She was so angry that she came very close to walking out of the meeting.· Dad came near to changing his mind about lending me the car.be close/near to something: · The negotiations were very near to breaking down.
to very nearly do something, especially something dangerous or unpleasant: come within inches of death: · Coulson came within inches of death on a climbing trip in the Himalayas last year.come within an inch of doing something: · Manchester United came within an inch of losing the game.
: narrowly avoid/miss/escape etc to avoid something unpleasant or dangerous, although you almost do not avoid it: · Flying into the airport at Lima, we narrowly avoided a collision with another plane.· The article says Meyers narrowly escaped arrest in Rome last month.
a situation in which someone is almost killed or injured: · Mike's had two motorcycle accidents, plus a few other pretty close shaves.
British if something that you succeed in doing is a near thing or a close thing you succeed in doing it, but only at the last moment: · The Labour party won the election, but it was a very near thing.· Security forces managed to free the hostages, but it was a very close thing.
spoken say this when something bad very nearly happens but does not, especially when this is the result of good luck: · The guard began to search the pile of leaves where we were hiding, but then got distracted by a noise from the house. "Phew, that was close!" said John. "C'mon, let's get out of here!"
careful work/checks/actions
a careful test, study, piece of work etc is done carefully and correctly, with a lot of attention to detail: · A careful inspection showed cracks in the foundation of the building.· Her book is the result of years of careful research.
a thorough search, check, examination etc is one that is done carefully so that no detail is missed : · The doctor gave me a thorough check-up.thorough search/check/examination etc: · The police have made a thorough search of the area.
a systematic way of doing something uses a fixed plan, so that everything gets done thoroughly - use this especially about activities that are dishonest or harmful: · the systematic destruction of the country's education system· Ex-prisoners talked of systematic cruelty within the jail.
: rigorous tests/checks/examination etc checks etc that are done very carefully to make sure that something is safe, suitable etc or of the right quality or standard: · Every new drug has to pass a series of rigorous safety checks before it is put on sale.· The entrance tests for people wishing to enter the diplomatic service are particularly rigorous.
very careful and thorough, and taking a lot of time and effort: · They began the long and painstaking task of compiling a bibliography.
: close look/examination paying very careful attention to details: · Take a close look at this photograph.· On closer examination of the facts it became clear that the boy was innocent.
very carefully making sure that every detail is exactly right, so that it cannot be criticized: · Scrupulous cleanliness is necessary when preparing food in a restaurant.· The investigation was carried out with scrupulous fairness.· Outstanding hospitality and scrupulous attention to detail make The Oceanic one of the finest hotels in the resort.
to be in an equal position in a game, competition etc
if two of the competitors in a game or competition tie , they get the same number of points: be tied: · The two teams are tied with two games a piece.tie for: · Woosnam and Lyle tied for fourth place on 264.tie with: · I won the first competition and tied with Wilson in the second.
British two teams or competitors that are level at a particular moment in a game or competition have the same number of points: · They scored in the eighth minute but four minutes later we were level.· If the scores are level after 90 minutes, extra time will be played.be level with: · Thanks to today's victory they are level with their main rivals, AC Milan, at the top of the Italian league.draw level (=get enough points to be level): · Brazil were in the lead, until Argentina drew level at the half-time whistle.
also be level pegging British informal use this when two people, horses etc are doing equally well in a race or competition, so that it is impossible to guess who will win: · The two horses are running neck and neck.· For three miles now both yachts have been neck and neck.· The Republicans and Democrats are neck and neck in the opinion polls.· The poll shows the two main parties level pegging, with 33% of the vote each.
especially British a game in which both opponents or teams have equal points at the end, so that neither wins: · Neither side has scored. It looks as if it's going to be another draw.· Last week's draw was a bad result for Arsenal, putting Manchester United ahead of them in the league.end in a draw (=finish with scores equal): · If the final ends in a draw, the game will be decided on penalties.
British to finish a game with the same number of points as your opponent, so that neither of you wins: · "Did you win?'' "No, we drew.''draw with: · Real Madrid drew with Barcelona in the last game of the season.draw a game/match: · The Australian rugby team drew the first game of their European tour, sixteen-all against France at Lyon.
spoken say this when both players or teams have two points, four points etc in a game: · It's two all at the moment, but Germany seems the better team.· "What was the final score?" "One all."
a finish to a race between horses, dogs, or people that is very nearly equal so that it is extremely difficult to say who has won: · It's a photo finish -- we'll have to bring in the judges to decide the winner.· After a very close-run race, it ended in a photo finish.
if the result of a competition, election, race etc is too close to call , the people taking part in it are equally successful, so there is no clear winner: · The exit polls suggest that the election may well be too close to call.
when something bad almost happened, but did not
: narrowly avoid/miss/escape etc to avoid something unpleasant or dangerous, although you almost do not avoid it: · A black BMW swerved, narrowly missing another car.· He narrowly escaped arrest when the police raided his house.
British also close call American a situation in which something bad almost happens but does not: · A sniper's bullet went through the sleeve of his coat. It was a close shave but didn't even scratch him.· Joe breathed a sigh of relief as the guard passed on to the next cell: "That was a close call!"
spoken say this when you have managed to avoid something dangerous or unpleasant, but you almost did not: · Geez, that was close! Did you see that red car?
a situation in which something, especially a car or plane, almost hits something, but does not: · There were two near misses on the airport's runways between 1998 and 1999.· The asteroid flew within 106,000 miles of Earth, which astronomers considered a near miss.
to like someone a lot and care about them
to love someone in your family, so that you care a lot about what happens to them, and you want them to be happy: · I really believed that my parents didn't love me.· He loved his stepdaughter as if she were his own child.
if people are close , they enjoy being together and they know and understand each other's feelings and thoughts: · My sister and I used to argue a lot, but now we're very close.· We have always been a close family.close to: · I'm still very close to my parents.
to like someone very much, especially after spending a long time with them and getting to know them: · I'm very fond of my sister's children.· All teachers have children that they are particularly fond of.· We were all very fond of Mr Edwards.
to feel love and concern for someone: · She thinks we're interfering but we're only doing it because we care.· Buy her some flowers to show her you really care.care about: · I'm very lucky to have a husband, family and friends who care about me.· Of course I care about Kirsty - that's why I want to help her.
to love someone very much and feel proud of them: · Branwell Bronte adored his sister Anne.· She adores her grandchildren and is always buying them presents.
to love and admire someone very much: · He worshipped his elder brother.worship the ground somebody walks on (=love someone very much, even if they behave badly): · In Susie's eyes he can do no wrong - she worships the ground he walks on.
to love someone very much and be very loyal to them or spend all your time with them: · He is a good man, devoted to his wife and children.
to love someone, especially someone younger than you, very much and show this by your actions: · He'd do anything for his children - he really dotes on them.· She obviously dotes on her grandson.· You should visit your aunt more often, you know how she dotes on you all.
to love and respect someone so much that they are very important in your life: · We all thought the world of Isaac and were devastated when he died.· He thinks the world of his uncle.
to get nearer to someone or something
to go or come nearer to a person, place, or thing: · As Kay got near the house she began to feel nervous.get near/close to: · We had been traveling for two hours and I knew that we must be getting close to Vancouver.get near/close enough to do something: · I couldn't get close enough to see what was happening.get nearer/closer (to something): · People were running for shelter. The hurricane was getting closer and closer.· Every day the Russian tanks were getting nearer to Berlin.
to move gradually closer to a person, place, or thing. Approach is more formal than get near and get close .: · The train slowed down as it started to approach the station.· We could hear footsteps approaching down the corridor.
if a group of people close in on someone or something, they gradually move closer to them from all sides so that they surround them in a threatening way: · Well-organized bands of rebels began to close in on the capital.· The divers were surrounded by three sharks which were rapidly closing in on them.· TV crews closed in on Geldof as soon as he stepped out of his car.
to gradually get nearer to a place - used especially in stories or descriptions of events: · As she neared her home she could see a light in the window.
written to move closer to something or someone: · The two men were talking, but as we drew near they turned and stared at us.· Madge drew a little nearer so that she could hear what he was saying.draw near to: · The rebels hoped that many of the government troops would join them when they drew near to the city.
easy to get to
if a place is within walking distance , it is not far away, and you can walk there easily: · There are several good restaurants within walking distance.within walking/driving etc distance of: · Dr Goldthorpe lived within walking distance of the University.within easy walking etc distance (of something): · Fortunately the house that we were renting was within easy driving distance of the shops.
near enough to a town or place for you to get there without too much difficulty: within reach of: · It was just lucky that we were within reach of a hospital.within easy reach (=near enough to get to easily): · Around Salzburg there are literally dozens of exciting places to visit -- all within easy reach.
British also convenient to something American if your home, office etc is convenient for or handy for a particular place, that place is near it and easy to reach: · The place where we live now is very convenient for the school - it's only a couple of minutes on foot.· My husband works in London so we're looking for a house that's handy for the station. · We found an apartment convenient to campus and public transportation.
also round the corner British not far away, especially in the streets of a town: · "Is there a bank near here?" "Sure, it's just around the corner."· She won't be long, she's only gone round the corner.around the corner from: · We met in a bar just around the corner from my apartment.
if a building or person is close at hand , they are very near and therefore available in case you need them: · The Exhibition Centre is a great day out, with plenty of parking and all the attractions of Manchester close at hand.· I'm very glad that, when my children were small, my mother was always close at hand.
if you say it's no distance , you mean that a place is not far away and is therefore easy to get to: · We come up here regularly from London; it's no distance. it's no distance from: · It's no distance from here to Fifth Avenue. We can easily walk it.
if one place is a stone's throw from another place, it is only a very short distance from it, so that it is easy to get to: · I was born in Wembley, a stone's throw from the football stadium!only a stone's throw from something: · Stanford Hospital is only a stone's throw from where I live.within a stone's throw of something: · The river's within a stone's throw of our apartment - we can see it from the window.
to have a good relationship
when two people or groups are friendly towards each other and work well together: · My boss and I have a very good relationship.have a good relationship with: · It's important that the school have a good relationship with the students' parents.· The president has a good working relationship with this Congress.
also get on British if two or more people get along or get on , they have a friendly relationship with each other: · I don't understand why you two girls don't get along.get along with: · He's very easy to get along with.· Martin was chosen because he is a good administrator who gets along with everyone.get along/on well: · We all get on really well, so we're going to share a flat next year.get along/on like a house on fire (=extremely well): · I wasn't sure whether David and Ann would like each other, but they got on like a house on fire.
if people are on good terms , they have a polite relationship and they can work well together, but they are not close friends: · They divorced several years ago, but they're still on good terms.be on good terms with: · We're on good terms with all our neighbours except the couple upstairs.· Taylor has managed to remain on good terms with his former employers.
if two or more people are close , they like each other very much, and can talk to each other about their feelings, their problems etc: · Dad and I have always been very close.close to: · She was never very close to her stepmother.close friend: · It turns out that Julie is a close friend of my cousin Kelly.
to win when you almost lost
if someone wins something or is elected by a narrow margin , they win by getting only a few more points, votes etc than their opponent: · We won the debate by a narrow margin.· Winning by a narrow margin, the Lakers now go on to play in the championships.
British to win by a very small number of votes or points, or by a very small distance in a race: · The Green Party scraped home in the local elections.· The referees decided that Foreman had just scraped home.
also be a close-run thing British if a race, competition, election etc is close or is a close-run thing , any person or party could win because they all have nearly the same number of points, votes etc, or are close to each other in the race: · The election was very close - a handful of votes decided it.· The champions have kept their title, but it was a close-run thing.
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 6phrases
· She moved forward to take a close look at the painting.
(=watch someone or something carefully)· They have to keep a close eye on their finances.
nouns
· A closer examination of the facts soon solved the mystery.
· Their research involved a close study of two communities.
· You will lose weight if you combine exercise with close attention to your diet.
(=careful and thorough examination of someone or something)· The investigation included close scrutiny of the images on CCTV.
(=looking at someone or something in detail)· Closer inspection revealed that the rocks were from an earlier period.
(=constantly making sure that someone does things in the correct way)· Initially there will be close supervision of the trainee.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
(=have almost reached an agreement)· Management and unions are close to an agreement about pay.
· He forged a strong alliance between his state and the church.
 Ridley was one of the Queen’s closest allies.
· Students learn to make a close analysis of the texts.
 his close association with the Green Party
· The customs officer opened my bag.
 He set off down the road with the rest of us following close behind.
· A strong bond had developed between them.
(=prevent people from crossing)· The government moved quickly to close the border.
(=especially a meeting)· At last the meeting was brought to a close.
· He was writing his books towards the end of the 19th century.
(=at the beginning or end of a special event)· I stayed for the closing ceremony.
(=a careful one)· His teacher was keeping a close check on his progress.
(=in which the people know each other very well)· He cultivated a close circle of musical acquaintances.
(=a close one)· His intimate circle was tiny.
(=not open to other people)· He didn’t have much experience of life beyond the closed circle of his family.
· The front door shut with a click.
 a close-knit community
 The Labour Party won the seat, but it was a close-run thing.
(=in which you are very near your opponent)· Swords and spears were used for close combat.
 Come a bit closer and you’ll be able to see better.
(=where all the people know each other)· I live in a close-knit community where there's lots of support.
· At school, we were close companions for several years.
(also somebody's nearest competitor British English) (=someone's main competitor)· He had five times as many votes as his nearest competitor.
· the close connection between maths and physics
(=in which people, groups etc discuss something carefully together)· The changes followed close consultation with government officials.
(=communicating with someone often)· I like to stay in close contact with my parents.
(=one which someone wins by a very small amount)· The race was a close contest between two evenly matched crews.
· We work together in close cooperation to provide the best possible service.
(=a good copy)· It is a close copy of a bronze figure found in Iceland.
· They found evidence of a high correlation between drinking and violence.
 The Alaskan brown bear is a close cousin of the grizzly bear.
(=close them)· The room was dark because the curtains were drawn.
 The boat was dangerously close to the rocks.
literary (=it becomes darker outside)· The rain turned to snow and darkness closed in.
(=the last day you can officially do something)· The closing date for applications is April 30th.
formal (=agree a deal formally)· A deal between the two companies has now been concluded.
· I opened the door and Dad was standing there.· Can you close the door as you go out?
· We were still waiting for the train doors to open.
· She shut the drawer and locked it with a small key.
 a close encounter with a snake (=a frightening situation in which you get too close to something)
· The corner store was the closest equivalent we had to a supermarket when I was young.
(=very careful and detailed)· A close examination of the figures revealed many discrepancies.
· On closer examination, I could see a slight crack in the window.
(=close together)· He had a small nose and close-set eyes.
· Joe closed his eyes and tried to get back to sleep.
· She let her eyes close for just a moment.
· The factory was closed down in 2006.
(=a family that spends a lot of time together and gives each other support)· Laura's family are very close.
· You may need to close the file and restart the computer.
(=an end of a race where two competitors are very close to each other)
(=one of the friends you like the most)· She’s a good friend of mine.
· Ron had formed a close relationship with Andrea.
(=reduce the amount or importance of a difference)· The book aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice.· The policies are designed to close the gap between rich and poor.
· Please close the gate.
(=in which everyone knows each other well and gives each other support)· The young mothers in the village are a fairly close-knit group.
 I had my eyes half-closed. Janice likes to have the window open. She had her back to the door.
(=with your arms around someone) Max held her close and wiped away her tears.
 the close link between teacher and student
(=change something so that there is no longer a loophole)· The president is eager to close tax loopholes for foreign companies.
(=with each team playing equally well)· Germany won the match, although it was close.
(=end it)· He closed the meeting by saying, ‘I think we have made great progress.’
(=that only a few people are allowed to go to)· The senator attended a private meeting with the president.
· He opened his mouth wide so the doctor could examine his throat.
· A lot of useful knowledge is gained by careful observation of the world around you.
· The two companies have built up a close partnership over the past four years.
 Karpov, the champion, came perilously close to losing.
(=its performances stop)· The play closes on Sunday, so don’t miss it!
 Here the rich and the poor live in close proximity (=very near to each other).
· Most people were predicting a close race.
 a close reading of the text (=when you read it very carefully)
· Many Japanese favor closer relations with the U.S.
(=a brother, parent, aunt etc)· Many of her close relations live nearby.
· Laura had a very close relationship with her grandmother.
· The evidence points to a close relationship between poverty and disease.
(=a brother, parent, aunt etc)· He lost several close relatives in the war.
· The vase bore a close resemblance to one owned by my mother.
(=the one that is closest to beating them)· She finished 7.1 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.
· The mountain road was closed by snow.
(=very careful scrutiny)· Both these areas of law have come under close scrutiny by the courts.
· There was a close similarity between his and Smith's views on education.
· She was well cared for during the final stages of her life.
(=quickly one after the other) He fired two shots in quick succession.
· Children were allowed out only under close supervision.
(=be almost crying)· He could see that May was close to tears.
· He had developed close ties with many Republican governors.
 I’m in close touch with Anna.
 A head-teacher needs to remain in close touch with teachers’ everyday concerns.
· The book comes a little too close to the truth for their liking.
· She shut the window firmly.
· All the windows were closed.
 We have a close working relationship with other voluntary groups.
· He changed his opinion during the last years of his life.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· Probably they would have lost all the same, but another bowler might have made it much closer.· In fact, however, the experiences of men and women are much closer than most people realize.· If women were evenly distributed across the spectrum of employment, their pay levels would be much closer to those of men.· The game is much closer than it should be.· This year, however, Britain has been faced by a tyrant much closer to home.· It wasn't the truth awaiting her at the château that she feared, but one much closer to home.· And almost immediately after that she realised that Julius had moved much closer.· But according to his campaign manager Mr Brian Fisk, it's all much closer to home than it was in 1966.
· Twice I ran perilously close to the edge, my eyes dazzled and eyelids drooping.· I was perilously close to being touched once and for all.· In the middle of the game Kasparov, seemed perilously close to a loss.· He was perilously close to losing control over House Republicans, especially the newly-elected class of 73 right-wing ideologues.· Are you aware that you're getting perilously close to slander?· But he was perilously close to the edge of the crumbling cliff.· During the battle five Troll Slayers distinguished themselves by attacking and destroying three Trolls which were perilously close to crushing Duregar himself.· Last season's away form led to flirting with relegation and we went perilously close.
· He gripped the wheel tightly and held his face quite close to the windscreen.· Bullets were passing quite close overhead, and one ricocheted off a front mudguard.· Where I live at present is bounded by two rivers and is quite close to the sea.· Magee could make out two figures crouched on the steps near the top, quite close to the door of the church.· Then she heard the sound of a car - quite close.· They were attractive-looking animals and they often allowed us to get quite close.· I had an accident quite close to the gates and Jorge came to get me and helped me back.· It had seemed a long way away, but in some ways it might be quite close.
· We were so close - weren't we?· The hairs on his forearm brushed hers, he sat so close.· He did not like the fact that his potential assassins had got so close to the Hotel where he was staying.· She hadn't realised that they were so close.· Help had been so close - and the disappointment was all the greater for it.· Furious as he undoubtedly was with her, she still felt a thrill to be so close to him.· Balder Head farmhouse was so close to the reservoir that the water lapped up to the garden wall.· In the meantime because he lay so close to them Tom was able to hear and see most of what went on.
· On the other hand, supper sounded too close to bedtime for his liking.· Avoid getting too close to them and certainly don't try to wrestle with them or restrain them.· The moorings are too close to town centre.· Even the car keys or a belt buckle may upset things if placed too close.· Never sit too close to fires.· From here they can move forward to interpose themselves when the enemy is too close.
· You do business with my daddy, you're very close to him in that way.· I think this is going to be a very close game and one that will be decided by mistakes.· Rod himself admits that he's been very close to arrest.· His eyes searching hers from very close quarters, he chuckled when she hastily lowered her lashes.· In another very close team event Wallasey just beat the Menai Straits one design club by a quarter point.· The two brothers were very close and no writer I can think of has such a hatred of death as Canetti.· He looked as if he'd taken both barrels into his chest at very close range.· Consider this as simply a very close and enjoyable relationship in order to answer the following question.
NOUN
· The result is that poverty and retirement are usually close allies.· The two countries are close allies.· Cleveland was a close ally of Dorsheimer and an admirer of Olmsted.· The United States, formerly President Barre's close ally, has abandoned him.· A close ally of Clinton, he led his election campaign in Mississippi.· When they failed, Aristide chose a close ally, Rene Preval, as his successor.
· It had a close associate in Col.· Salameh was a close associate of the alleged mastermind of the Trade Center bombing, Ramzi Yousef.· In April 1959 Castro, despite the misgivings of some of his close associates, visited the United States.· Almost all were close associates of Mulroney.· The family was later to be among Gloucester's closest associates.· Zhang Gong, both close associates of Yang Baibing, were appointed commander and political commissar, respectively.
· Most of the teaching was offered in small tutorial groups with close association between staff and students.· By its close association with women.· Forming a close association with them was ruled out.· That began a close association between the two, with the artist applying himself assiduously to the theories of his friend.· Coupled with his close association with medicine, it explains why he decided to follow the career of scientist and natural philosopher.· It shows the close association that can exist between organic chemical synthesis and clay surfaces.· The close association with the university teaching programs which prepare future teachers of exceptional children. 2.
· Pay close attention to the sweep pattern and strokes, and this will eventually become second nature.· The result of such close attention being paid to community is a growing sense of responsibility on the part of the students.· In later chapters we shall give this aspect of the book closer attention.· But agents paid closer attention than they did before and watched for reactions.· The former Prime Minister watched the results with close attention.· They eschewed grand schemes of schematic explanation, preferring empirical explorations of the particular, with close attention to analyzing function.· They certainly pay close attention to one another's progress, frequently glancing from side to side to check on each other's position.· He enters freely into public debate from his close attention to most subjects, but he is no Orator.
· Sydney's closest call operating out of Rendcomb was in a Brisfit shortly after his arrival.· This was surely a close call!· If you are a Swindon fan, you're bias of course, but it was a close call.· Afterward, when he came down for his evening meal, we talked about the close call.· But it had been a close call.· You can only have so many close calls for your luck to run out.· He left the ground via a close call with an ambulance and came very close to running over your correspondent.· Two days before, there had been a close call.
· This suggests again the close connection between property regulations and marriage patterns.· It simply establishes a much closer connection between the process of socialization and its symbolic consequences.· And there is a particularly close connection in the case we are considering.· Domestic drama had a close connection with the growing spirit of dissatisfaction with existing social, economic, religious and political conditions.· Campaigners boosted the impact of their warnings by drawing a close connection between the fly and the home.· There is a close connection between the learning process and the development of a thinking, reasoning self.· Because of its close connection with metaphor, simile may also be considered here.· During the recent years after the war the university rose in national importance and always had a close connection with the bishop.
· Behavior is a discouraging field because we are in such close contact with it.· First, the concept of advisory reduces school size by putting students in close contact with a single faculty member.· The churches themselves began reorganizing their affairs, often removing those officials who had close contact with the previous regime.· Children must operate for the first time in close contact with individuals to whom they are not related.· In addition, some packaging which comes into close contact with food has implications on human health and quality of food.· By maintaining close contact with produce companies, Fahey secures the freshest ingredients for his menu.· It has been a privilege to enjoy close contact with the College and so many Somervillians.· There was also continuing close contact between Eadwine's court and that of Eadbald, king of Kent.
· With his death the close cooperation between these two organisations, initiated by Ayliffe and William McDougall, came to an end.· Even so, a spirit of close cooperation and bonhomie was generated, contributing much to the success of the Workshop.· We must all work together in close cooperation to provide the best possible service for our clients.· Finally, we emphasise that close cooperation between microbiologists and clinicians is important.· All parents are made to feel welcome as we fully appreciate the value of close cooperation between home and School.· To many, the postwar economic problems of the continent demanded a substantial element of very close cooperation.· She hoped that the two countries would develop a better relationship and undertake closer cooperation.· The organisation of this has only been possible with the close cooperation and support of District Managers, and their designated staff.
· The designer's close encounter of severe illness had a profound influence on his scheme.· Retired Willcox schoolteacher Joe Duhon has had several close encounters with the Playa, but he keeps going back.· The pain is severe and no predator would risk a second close encounter with these snakes.· We also shared a cou-ple of close encounters with danger.· In a close encounter last season, Gloucester pipped Northampton by 7 points to 6.· I've twice had close encounters of a nasty kind with flying lead.· Desert Orchid and a close encounter of the short kind.· For those unexpected close encounters, breath refresher capsules can be a real life-saver.
· The imp of hell appeared on closer examination to be a neglected child.· But on closer examination, they reflect the 2560-15 percent breakdown.· The analysis involves close examination of a sample of markets in which significant entry has occurred.· But close examination showed that species intolerant of acid conditions or high nitrogen levels were not reappearing.· First, some challenges, although important and pressing, turn out on closer examination to be neither new nor different.· At a distance many species look similar and only closer examination reveals the difference.· But although this is at first appealing, on closer examination the concept is somewhat flawed.
· Maybe the DOS-based Personal Finance Planner will help us keep a closer eye on those disappearing thousands.· To be sure, investors should keep a close eye on indicators of problem loans, analysts said.· You do need to keep a closer eye on suppliers when you're buying more equipment in a single purchase.· Naturally we kept a close eye on our two new masts to see if they would make any difference.· I assure the Minister that we shall keep a close eye on these sales.· Republicans will keep a close eye on funding for education and training.· There were not so many lights and Endill kept a close eye on the Headmaster in case he became lost in the darkness.· Still, keep a close eye on those Netkids.
· Having himself come from a close family he did not at first regard his wife's involvement with Chloe as unusual.· Limits are placed on phone calls and visits with close family members.· Most likely there will be some one in the close family or a reliable friend.· Only close family members attended the service, some of whom say that his body showed signs of torture.· Do you play better in front of close family?· She had no close family nearby.· Another 25 percent of abusers were close family relatives such as brothers, uncles and grandfathers.· The groom and his close family took their places, cross-legged, on the matting beside the trunk of wedding gifts.
· He was quite fearless ... he was an inspiration ... he was my closest friend, my strength and shield.· Leckie, a close friend of Symington, may know the details.· He soon became a close friend of my parents and was later godfather to my brother Brian.· Joe, on the other hand, was a close friend of Jack Kennedy, and an even closer friend of Jackie.· But her closest friends remained those she had made in the Hollywood and New York film worlds.· It contained a note from Dermot Kinane, an ex-jockey who had been a close friend of the family in Ireland.· He was hired for these qualities and also because his father-in-law is a real estate expert and a close friend.
· Likewise, close friendships sometimes alter when one friend retires - and not the other.· Rosen has worked politically for Kennedy since his 1980 presidential primary run and developed a close friendship with the senator.· Learning to play with other children and to form close friendships with some of them is a vital part of growing up.· Moses, 24, has a close friendship with Keim, 17, who won her first national title.· Eline envied the close friendship the two so obviously enjoyed.· But now Joe was more presentable, and he formed a close friendship with both Katharine and Phil Graham.· Diana's close friendship with the bachelor was revealed in sensational tapes published this summer.· Joe and Chip became acquainted through club functions and developed a close friendship.
· Even apparent moves by the regime to resolve the crisis turn out on closer inspection to be nothing of the kind.· On close inspection, the unpleasant truths an organization is afraid to tell often turn out to be not all that abhorrent.· These skills have the effect of laying children open to closer inspection and increase their vulnerability through peer appraisal and criticism.· A close inspection reveals that in a past life they were oxygen tanks.· On closer inspection, in fact, the evidence tilts further towards the reassuring.· On close inspection it looks more like the second touring production of Absurd Person Singular after a long spell in Pitlochry.· Executives sometimes find that, on close inspection, the complaints made against them are misconceived.· On closer inspection, however, the Middleborough mosaic does reveal some inconsistencies.
· Jane Madders, the author, has had close links with the Medau Society.· The goal of all Catholic schools must be to build close links with both partners.· With improved personal relationships, however, steps have been taken in the last few years towards closer links.· He is exploring closer links with Diocesan and other denominational youth bodies which overlap in their aims.· Mr Shirley reckons that the greatest of these will be developing closer links with customers.· There were close links between the alchemists and the gnostics, and for the gnostics the picture was bleaker still.· Six priests took part in the Mass all of whom had had close links with him during his ministry.· This strategy has produced the following results: The college now has close links with 65 institutions across 16 countries.
· It might be out of bounds, but the temptation to take a slightly closer look was a temptation she could not resist.· A closer look reveals a galaxy of gossamer threads that reach out to anchor the organism to rocks or other surfaces.· I cautiously take a closer look.· And like complete idiots, we yearned for a close look.· Get it out and take a close look at it.· Later, we take a close look at the city of Edinburgh and the local scenery.· A close look at the points listed in Table 4.1 will show the level of confusion operating.
· Its small form factor allows two computers, in close proximity, to double up on the 10BaseT hub.· But Pam absorbed more than the luxuries of life from her close proximity to men in power.· Anyone can enter paintings in any style, and the lucky winners get hung, in rather close proximity, and sold.· Bormann followed the simple principle of always remaining in the closest proximity to the source of all grace and favor.· Organizational structure was driven by the necessity of having skilled negotiators in close proximity.· Locked in the cell of himself, each specialist sees only that which lies within his close proximity.· Persinger has suggested that these reports might be hallucinations instilled into the witnesses by the effect of ionising radiation in close proximity.· Stretching plus folding lead to mixing by distancing neighboring points and bringing distant points into close proximity.
· David Byrne fired in a cross from the right and Grant shrugged off Richard Gough to shoot home from close range.· Fornek got a second chance at close range as Gingrich was leaving the luncheon.· The big defender's low drive from close range was blocked and then cleared by the alert Severin.· This resonant condition permitted Mariner 10 to fly by Mercury at close range at the times of alternate perihelion passages.· They were at it again within two minutes of the restart, as Shaun Bartlett fired over from close range.· And Murdoch was again Thistle's hero when he blocked a close range shot from Trevor Steven.· Speak made it 3-2 for Ballymena Utd in the second minute of injury time with a goal from close range.· The cause of death was a shotgun blast at close range, and police are now investigating the illegal killing.
· Much safer to stick to one's close relations.· Social systems evolve in close relation to ecology.· Children's own free play is not in itself drama, although it's a close relation.· She said she had no close relations to bother about on her husband's side and only the Evans on hers.· He was, however, a pragmatist and a realist who favoured close relations with the United States.· Because the government abandoned any formal incomes policy there was less call for it to maintain close relations with union leaders.· A similarly close relation ship may be seen between ivory and some of the most important precious stones used in antiquity.· Equally, the state has helped to maintain the structure of capital markets which promote closer relations between financial and industrial capital.
· If so, the purr helps to establish and maintain a close relationship.· The close relationship maintained by the consultant in instructional media use with the classroom teacher. 2.· They also provide circumstantial evidence for a close relationship between mind and brain.· This is the main reason politicians have few close relationships of any kind.· Some women who have always had a career only get to think about the need for closer relationships after that finishes.· What the Bank wanted was a closer relationship with banks' auditors.· Intuitively, there is thus a close relationship between the behaviour of a process and those of its finite syntactic approximations.· The variety of close relationships with which people end their lives should be acknowledged.
· People wishing to emigrate would no longer need to prove that they had close relatives in the destination country.· Even our closest relatives, the chimpanzees, are guilty.· Very few doctors will resist constant requests for this from close relatives.· All of its close relatives except one make the whine but not the chuck.· The caller asks if she can be informed as gently as possible that a very close relative has died.· One woman told me of a particular year in which seven close relatives died.· It had been established as a close relative of adrenaline, named noradrenaline, late in the 1940s.· She also said she would try to communicate more openly with her close relatives and friends.
· Just warn your friend Martin to be extra careful, because everything he does is under close scrutiny.· Federal Trade Commission officials would not comment on the deal, but are expected by industry experts to give it close scrutiny.· I had a feeling that his logic would not bear close scrutiny but was too numb to argue with the ancient greenkeeper.· True, most of these beliefs contain grains of truth, but their omnipotent power does not survive close scrutiny.· Other popular myths also fail to withstand close scrutiny.· She said the elections department is under close scrutiny now.· From close scrutiny, it soon emerges that they all have several features in common.· Nelson's detailed account is well worth close scrutiny for it illustrates many aspects of socio-ecology most cogently.
· He is one of nine players given winter contracts designed to prevent them seeking employment elsewhere during the close season.· Last close season one of the small drains that I fish ran very clear.· During the close season in 1990 the unthinkable happened.· During the close season in 1974 a dry moat had been constructed and new barriers installed.· Sheffield-born left-back Beresford came close to becoming a Liverpool player during the close season - until the Anfield side pulled out.· Weekends we're usually booked up in advance, you see, even in the close season.· And there will be no close seasons!
· Acid House comes a close second to football fans in the tabloids' top ten of moral panics.· Business is a close second in its neglect of children, leaving workers without sufficient family time.· Put to the test, we suspect the anti-bat vote would be a close second to the anti-rat faction.· An irresistible attraction to destructive men ran a close second.· Sea bream, with shallot and red wine sauce, comes a close second in the restaurant.· Etzioni and Ward a close second and Nisbet and Fontana less promising in these selected books by them.· His hero is Jefferson, but the reporters always imagined that George Gallup ran a close second.
· At Anfield last Saturday they made the final curtain safely, but it was a close thing.· He was the closest thing to underage.· It is the closest thing to a real arm available in medical science.· The closest thing to it in Beavis and Butthead is Tom Anderson, the old guy.· Fitt was the closest thing to a socialist in the party.· This incident is the closest thing to action that there is in this book.· Well to me, being on stage is the closest thing to actually making love, you know.· It was certainly the closest thing in our town to what I later learned was pentecostal worship.
· Glasgow had close ties of blood and interest with the Southern States of the Confederacy.· But administration officials and other sources now concede that Alispahic remains an influential figure with close ties to Izetbegovic.· The piece was purchased from the private collection of Ruth Blumka, a New York dealer with close ties to the museum.· Some freeholders were just as keen as was the average burgh councillor to retain close ties with the government ministers.· We view skin-to-skin care as a major advance in helping parents develop a closer tie to their infant.
· Sherfey thinks women need to be in closer touch with their life purpose of caring for the species.· He had not kept in close touch with the performers who had danced in his first little group.· He told Parmenter he would stay in close touch with Guy Banister.· To monitor their responses we have kept in close touch with each family's health visitor.· He's in close touch with his employees, knowing many of them by their first names.· Fifty years ago they were in closer touch.· McGuinness is more hard-line than Adams and reckoned to be in closer touch with the mood of die-hard republicans.
· I've had a fairly close watch kept on me.· If not, why should Lalla Faqiha have kept such close watch on me and beaten me with such vindictiveness?· Neurosurgeons have successfully moved a blood clot from her brain and are keeping a close watch on her.· The inspector kept close watch of their arms and equipments and clothing.· They tend, however, to keep a closer watch on discharges which are potentially highly polluting or large in volume.· As mentioned earlier, there are alternatives for those keeping a close watch on their cholesterol.· Bastide had been released grudgingly by the Sûreté with Chesnais insisting that a close watch be kept on him.· Fortunately Scott was reasonably obedient as long as some one kept a close watch over him.
Phrases
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
  • All of its close relatives except one make the whine but not the chuck.
  • Because the government abandoned any formal incomes policy there was less call for it to maintain close relations with union leaders.
  • Because, they argued, the males in coalitions were almost always close relatives, kin selection enhanced the benefits of cooperation.
  • But they are thinking about commercial applications for the chanterelle and its close relative, the Tricholoma matsutake.
  • Financial need, even on the part of a close relative, has apparently never been seen as a situation which required an automatic response.
  • It may also be powerful between close relatives where one may be in a dominant position vis-à-vis the other.
  • The people who had saved my life were my close relations!
  • We let grandparents and other close relatives and friends enter and touch the infant, if the parents wish.
  • Even after Charles married Princess Diana he kept in close contact with Camilla.
  • He had not kept in close touch with the performers who had danced in his first little group.
  • I am keen to keep in close touch with you on this subject.
  • I take that point and we are keeping in close contact with local authorities.
  • I urge my hon. Friend to keep in close touch to make sure that response times are up to the charter.
  • In practice, I keep in close touch with the work of the foundation.
  • The Society is keeping in close touch with the appropriate authority and full information will be published as soon as possible.
  • To monitor their responses we have kept in close touch with each family's health visitor.
► close/you’re close/that’s close► close to the bone► close, but no cigar
  • That car that came around the corner was just a little too close for comfort.
  • At times, the similarities are too close for comfort, edging towards the derivative.
  • But our last memory was of a nightingale pair, singing in competition in territories perhaps too close for comfort.
  • Cross-addictions may be hotly denied because the subject matter may for some be too close for comfort.
  • In a wave trough I caught a glimpse of a coral head to port: a little too close for comfort.
  • Lightning dipped and veered in a manner which was far too close for comfort.
  • Richard, and you quite see why, finds economy airline seats too close for comfort.
  • The movement brought him too close for comfort.
  • And interestingly, the pictures these two picked are close to home.
  • Even closer to home is the enchanting beauty of the Craigendarroch Country Estate.
  • For a third it might be a school close to home.
  • It is important, however, to have a source of money close to home.
  • Local artisans, working close to home, often met the essential needs of the nearby population.
  • She says it was too close to home and it could easily have been them.
  • Some commute long distances while others work close to home.
  • Yet familiarity may be blinding us to equal intelligence expressed by animals far closer to home.
  • From our hiding place we were able to observe the animals at close quarters.
  • This was the first time I had seen such poverty at close quarters.
  • As the family kept vigil, the children saw at close quarters the stubborn determination of their stepmother.
  • At close quarters a rifle is almost useless.
  • Harry and I were tall and strong, not easy to attack at close quarters.
  • He wishes to inspect at close quarters all the actors in this drama.
  • I had seen it happen at close quarters because I am his caddie.
  • The battle continued at close quarters.
  • The girl must have been, as Martha had said, stagestruck: she had wanted to see Désirée at close quarters.
  • There tactics were strongly influenced by reliance on line formation and fire-power, as against attack at close quarters.
  • Mike's had three car accidents, plus a few other pretty close shaves.
  • And so we all had a close shave once a term.
  • Had a close shave by the looks of you.
  • He seemed pale and in need of a closer shave.
  • I had to rinse quite often to get rid of debris, but it did give a close shave.
  • Now the challenge is complete, he is considering a close shave, probably in the name of charity.
  • Embroidery is very close work.
  • A final recommendation of the consultants was a radical attempt to forge a closer working relationship between the board and staff members.
  • Before I had been there a month my eyes began to suffer and I had to start wearing glasses for close work.
  • He and Clinton have formed such a close working partnership that Kemp, as vice president, would like to emulate Gore.
  • Microscopes can only be used for close work, telescopes for viewing objects from arm's length distance to infinity.
  • One benefit, he said, is the closer working relationship between defense contractors and the Navy.
  • Task lighting usually entails higher levels of illumination needed for reading and other close work.
► close vowelPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► close to the bone
  • But your own past can be a closed book, even at fourteen.
  • He is holding a closed book, signifying a mystery, possibly a stage in the alchemical process.
  • I can not believe that it can be right that this late in the game Poetry is still a closed book.
  • I tell myself it's a closed book, but my cover story becomes an old man's compensation.
  • Linear preoccupation in the past remains a closed book to modern understanding.
  • The highly organised St Stephen's Society programme which she now leads was at that time a closed book to her!
  • The kitchenette is a closed book.
  • The Shoah will never be a closed book.
► play/keep your cards close to your chest
  • At times, the similarities are too close for comfort, edging towards the derivative.
  • But our last memory was of a nightingale pair, singing in competition in territories perhaps too close for comfort.
  • Cross-addictions may be hotly denied because the subject matter may for some be too close for comfort.
  • In a wave trough I caught a glimpse of a coral head to port: a little too close for comfort.
  • Lightning dipped and veered in a manner which was far too close for comfort.
  • Richard, and you quite see why, finds economy airline seats too close for comfort.
  • The movement brought him too close for comfort.
  • A loss in this election will not necessarily close the door on the campaign.
  • Come in, lads, come in and shut the door on the fog.
  • Even so, Wickham was not ready to shut the door on the possibility.
  • Imagine asking that they close the door on me so I can see what it feels like.
  • It watched her, unwinking, until she reached the room behind the shop and shut the door on its crimson gaze.
  • Lucker murmurs something to Jasper and leads him away closing the door on me.
  • She closed the door on them.
  • The previous owner had used a bathroom off one of the bedrooms as storage and simply closed the door on it.
  • As the habeas hearing drew near, Lancaster County officials' concern over these revelations grew noticeable.
  • As the pair drew near he turned and fled.
  • As the race drew closer it was time for Paul to take a back seat.
  • As we drew near and I watched 747 after 747 climbing laboriously into the clouds, I wondered what fate befell me.
  • Men prosper for a decade, and demons dare not draw near!
  • The bailiff directed all to draw near and give their attendance, promising that they would be heard.
  • They drew near the bed and stared down at the boy who lay there sleeping in its drifts of tumbling lace.
  • Two young boys, of around ten years of age, drawing closer, then parallel, now swiftly passing, past.
  • As the decade drew to a close, it was evident that consumers were fed up.
  • As the General's visit ended, the competition drew to a close.
  • As the singing draws to a close, the cousins urge her to make a wish.
  • But Enterprise Neptune has not drawn to an end with the successful completion of its Silver Jubilee year.
  • He used to long for his holidays and grow deeply depressed when they drew to an end.
  • The last of the wine is poured; the meal draws to a close.
  • The long gray afternoon drew to a close.
  • The year 1968 drew to a close and with it the life of Londonderry Corporation.
  • At first, I closed my ears to what I did not want to hear.
  • Claudia sank down on to her bed and tried to shut her ears to the sound of him in the next room.
  • Don't close your ears to the world and don't give up.
  • He tried to close his ears to the plea.
  • Rincewind tried to shut his ears to the grating voice beside him.
  • She heard the boys hurling abuse at her, shouting to her to stop, but she shut her ears to them.
  • She wanted to close her ears to it.
  • Sometimes she even managed to shut her ears to the arguments going on around her.
  • We can't close our eyes to the fact that our town has a gang problem.
  • I've closed my eyes to your activities long enough.
  • If we must sometimes close our eyes to open them in the myth dimension, so be it.
  • On a sob Ruth swallowed hard and closed her eyes to the burning sun overhead.
  • On the other hand the very same development increases their tendency to close their eyes to the future.
  • Prayer May we never become so worldly that we close our eyes to the miracle and mystery of life.
  • The need to push came again, and Jane closed her eyes to concentrate.
  • They could not shut their eyes to the ugly and degrading side of wine-drinking and see only the delightful side.
  • Turning off the light, she slid back under the covers and closed her eyes to sleep fitfully until noon.
► can do something with your eyes shut/closed
  • His latest challenge is on a smaller scale, but it's much closer to his heart.
  • I hold you near, close to my heart, There's so much for me to give, Where to begin?
  • It is one that lies close to the heart of any study of the interaction of religion and society.
  • One subject is obviously dear to Schofield's heart - the captaincy of Great Britain and Leeds.
  • Other songs: Include Stainsby Girls, inspired by a Middlesbrough school close to his heart.
  • The electrification of the network, a topic close to Lenin's heart, was discussed in the pages of Gudok.
  • The President would go to Williamsburg, Virginia, a place close to his heart.
  • Critique followed hot on the heels of this pioneering work.
  • On the heels of this came Mr J. to tell us that young Mrs P. had had her thighbone crushed.
  • Then it seemed that the consummation would follow soon on the heels of its inauguration.
  • With another couple of laps he might have finished close on the heels of the two Dunlops.
► (hard/hot/close) on somebody’s heels► move in/close in for the kill► close to the mark
  • Roslin, known for playing his cards close to his vest, declined to comment.
  • They had quite a reputation for sailing close to the wind.
  • With his own property, it was perhaps easier too for a baron to take risks or sail close to the wind.
► deep-set/wide-set/close-set eyes
  • And so we all had a close shave once a term.
  • Had a close shave by the looks of you.
  • He seemed pale and in need of a closer shave.
  • I had to rinse quite often to get rid of debris, but it did give a close shave.
  • Now the challenge is complete, he is considering a close shave, probably in the name of charity.
► shut/close the stable door after the horse has bolted
  • He keeps tabs on everyone in the building.
  • A psychologist will keep tabs on teams of youngsters and will stop the operation if they show signs of stress.
  • About the world Lenny Wilkens has been keeping tabs on world events, and one thing is clear.
  • Although so little was heard from them, those who kept tabs on them were convinced that they were slowly fading away.
  • Anne Dickson, a local politician, said people had been keeping tabs on Hamilton for years.
  • But trappers will keep tabs on the extra traps until February, officials said.
  • If she asked, he would accuse her of nagging, of wanting to keep tabs on him.
  • They patrol land and keep tabs on the gangs after tip offs from gamekeepers and farmers.
  • We try to keep close tabs on our boys in blue.
  • The Beastline were standing close together, silhouetted against the sky.
  • The main street in Lincoln is narrow, and the little houses are close together.
  • These horses show relaxed, peaceful outlines, with friends standing particularly close together.
  • They stood close together in silence, listening.
  • Though they are close together on the couch, there is in fact a chasm between them.
  • We draw close together to complete our plans.
Word family
WORD FAMILYadverbclosecloselynounclosenessadjectivecloseverbclose
1near not far from someone or something SYN  near:  If you need to buy bread or milk, the closest shop is about a mile away.close to Susan sat on a chair close to the window. I don’t mind where we go on vacation as long as it’s close to a beach. His eyes were small and close together. There are several accounts of dolphins living in close proximity to humans (=close to humans). The victim had been shot at close range (=from very close).2near in time near to something in timeclose to It was close to 1:15 a.m.close together Our birthdays are quite close together.3likely to happen seeming very likely to happen or very likely to do something soonclose to doing something The two countries are close to signing a peace agreement. We’re close to clinching the deal.close to death/tears/despair etc The old dog could barely whimper and seemed close to death. The prosecution’s main witness was close to tears as she described the assault.4like/love if two people are close, they like or love each other very much:  My brother and I are very close.close to I felt closer to Rob that evening than ever before. Fiona and I have always been close friends.5similar very similar to each otherclose to When I saw Henry with another woman I felt something close to jealousy. Fitt was the closest thing to a socialist in the party. Their newest model bears a close resemblance to (=is very similar to) that of their rival competitor.► see thesaurus at similar6careful [usually before noun] looking at, thinking about, or watching something very carefully → closelytake/have/get a close look (at something) She lifted up Jenny’s silver medallion to take a closer look.keep a close watch/eye on (=watch someone or something very carefully) Don’t worry, I’ll keep a close eye on the kids. You could have improved your answers by closer attention to detail.7number/amount if a number or amount is close to another number or amount, it is not much higher or lower than it:  We don’t know the exact figures, but about 10,000 might be a close approximation (=close to the actual figure).close to Inflation is close to 7 percent.8competition/election etc finishing or being played, fought etc with both sides almost equal:  It was a close game that could have gone either way.a close second/third etc (=very nearly first, second etc) The result is too close to call (=so close that it is impossible to know who will win).9close relation/relative a member of your family such as your brother, sister, parent etc OPP  distant:  The wedding was attended by close family only.10very nearly bad used when you have only just managed to avoid something bad, dangerous, or embarrassing happening:  ‘Phew, that was close,’ Frank said as he swerved to avoid the cyclist.a close call/thing/shave (=a situation in which something dangerous, embarrassing etc almost happens) United had a close shave when Liverpool almost scored.11almost very nearly getting, finding, or achieving somethingclose to At this point, the investigators were closer to the truth than they realized.12keep in close contact/touch if two people keep in close contact, they see, talk to, or write to each other often:  Text messaging enables people to keep in close contact at all times.13work/talk together relating to a situation in which people work well with each other or talk to each other often:  He retained very close links with France throughout his life. What we need now is closer cooperation between the club and supporters.14with little space with little or no space around something or between things:  The horses are always eager for exercise after the close confinement of the stables. The shoe is a close fit (=there is no space around the foot). I find it difficult to read such close print (=with letters printed so close together).15close/you’re close/that’s close spoken used to tell someone that they have almost guessed or answered something correctly:  ‘I reckon he must be about 38.’ ‘Close – he was 40 last week.’16close to the bone if something someone says is close to the bone, it makes you feel uncomfortable or offends you, especially because it is about something you do not want to admit is true17close, but no cigar spoken used when something someone does or says is almost correct or successful:  It was close, but no cigar for the Dodgers as they lost to the Reds 4–3.18too close for comfort if something that happens is too close for comfort, it is near enough to make you feel nervous or afraid:  From somewhere too close for comfort came the sound of machine-gun fire.19close to home a)if a remark or criticism is close to home, it makes you feel uncomfortable because it is likely to be true:  His comments struck unpleasantly close to home. b)if something unpleasant happens close to home, you are directly affected by it:  It’s one thing seeing riots on TV, but when they happen so close to home it’s a different matter.20at close quarters if something happens or is done at close quarters, it happens inside a small space or is done from a short distance away:  The troops had been fighting at close quarters.21weather British English uncomfortably warm because there seems to be no air:  The weather that night was hot and close, with a hint of thunder in the distance.22unwilling to talk about something [not before noun] unwilling to tell people about something SYN  secretiveclose about You’re very close about your work, aren’t you?23unwilling to spend money [not before noun] not generousclose with You won’t get a penny out of Jack – he’s very close with his money.24a close shave when the hair on someone’s face is cut very close to the skin25close work work that involves looking at or handling things in a very skilful, detailed, and careful way:  After years of close work, she could hardly see a thing if it was over a yard away.26close vowel technical a close vowel is pronounced with only a small space between the tongue and the top of the mouth—closeness noun [uncountable]:  She had never had the physical or emotional closeness that she needed. → play your cards close to your chest at card1(14)COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 6phrasestake/get a close look· She moved forward to take a close look at the painting.keep a close eye/watch on somebody/something (=watch someone or something carefully)· They have to keep a close eye on their finances.nounsa close examination· A closer examination of the facts soon solved the mystery.a close study· Their research involved a close study of two communities.close attention· You will lose weight if you combine exercise with close attention to your diet.close scrutiny (=careful and thorough examination of someone or something)· The investigation included close scrutiny of the images on CCTV.close inspection (=looking at someone or something in detail)· Closer inspection revealed that the rocks were from an earlier period.close supervision (=constantly making sure that someone does things in the correct way)· Initially there will be close supervision of the trainee.
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