close down

present singular third person closes down · participle present closing down · participle past closed down · past closed down

1. ambitransitiveTo stop trading as a business.

   The local factory will close down soon, unless sales pick up.

   3 more examples

   They had to close the mine down as it was in a dangerous condition.

   Eventually the NUR overplayed its hands with an all-out strike. And when Peter Parker, the then-chairman of BR, who was well regarded among his staff, called their bluff by threatening to close down the entire network, they caved in.

   2022 December 14, Christian Wolmar, “Productivity should play no part in pay negotiations”, in RAIL, number 972, page 46

   MTV have closed down their remaining dedicated music video channels, ending with the Buggles’ ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’.

   2026 January 1, Max Pilley, “MTV shuts down final music-only channels with ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’”, in NME

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

2. transitiveTo surround someone, as to impede their movement.

   If anyone passes to Smith, close him down.

   Synonyms: shut down