close-bodˈied adjective

Fitting close to the body

Close Brethren plural noun

The Exclusive Brethren, a branch of the Plymouth Brethren whose members will not associate with (eg eat in company with) people outside their group

close call noun

A narrow escape

close company noun

A firm controlled by five, or fewer, people who own a majority of the shares

close corporation noun

A corporation which fills up its own vacancies, without outside interference

closeˈ-cropped adjective

1. (of hair) cut very short
2. (of grass, etc) cut, or eaten by animals, down to the level of the ground

close-coupˈled adjective

(of two parts) attached close together

close encounter noun

A direct personal confrontation with an extraterrestrial being (also figurative)

close-fistˈed or close-handˈed adjective

Penurious, covetous

closeˈ-fitting adjective

(of clothes) designed to fit tightly

closeˈ-grained adjective

With the particles, fibres, etc close together, compact

close harmony noun (music)

Harmony in which the notes of chords lie close together

closeˈ-hauled adjective (nautical)

(in trim for) sailing as near as possible towards where the wind is coming from

closeˈhead noun (Scot)

The entrance to a close, or the gossips that congregate there

close-inˈ adjective

Positioned or operating at a small distance

closeˈ-knit adjective

(of communities, etc) closely connected, bound together

close-lippedˈ or close-mouthedˈ adjective

Reticent, saying little

close quarters see at close quarters below.

close-rangeˈ adjective

In, at or within a short distance

closeˈ-reefed adjective (nautical)

Having all reefs taken in

close-runˈ adjective

(of a contest) fiercely contested, with a narrow margin of victory

close season or closed season noun

1. A time of the year when it is illegal to kill certain game or fish, usu the breeding season
2. A prohibited or inactive period

close-setˈ adjective

(of eyes) positioned close together

close shave or close thing noun

A close call

closeˈ-stool noun

A chamberpot enclosed in a box or stool

close tennis noun

Real tennis, distinguished from lawn tennis

closeˈ-tongued adjective (archaic)

Cautious in speaking, reticent

closeˈ-up noun

1. A photograph or film taken near at hand and thus detailed and big in scale
2. A close scrutiny

at close quarters

1. (of fighting) hand-to-hand or at close range
2. In close proximity

close at or to hand

Easily accessible

close on

Almost, nearly

close to the chest

Without revealing one's intentions

close to home

Too near to one's own situation to be comfortable

run someone close

To be very near someone in standard or achievement