to closet

Examples

• All

• Vehra and Li simply closeted themselves as much as possible, as everybody did.

  Fiction book (1999)

• A child psychologist closets herself for hours with the wunderkind who reluctantly reveals his project to her.

  Fiction book (1999)

• But it cannot be argued that presidents should be allowed to closet themselves from Congress when they are deciding issues of war and peace.

  Academic text (1991)

• Her lip quivered, then she closeted herself in her bedroom and refused to come out.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Candace had been stuck babysitting a somewhat hysterical bride and her mostly hysterical mother while David was closeted with an exceedingly nervous individual.

  Fiction book (2000)

• Ian Thornton spent the rest of the afternoon closeted with Peters, heaping more dictation on the inundated clerk.

  Fiction book (1991)

• After the meeting, she decided to closet herself in her office to work on the report without distractions.

• He planned to closet himself in the library to focus on his research for the upcoming project.

• The politician closeted himself with his advisors to discuss the controversial new policy.

Synonyms

C

to coop

vsto closet

• Informal

46 6.1

To keep someone or something in a small space so they cannot move freely

is about placing someone in a private room for discussion or secrecy not trapping

S

to shut away

vsto closet

3 5.5

Keep people and things in a place where they cannot leave or be seen

is used to place someone in a small private room for work or secrecy

C

to cloister

vsto closet

3 8.6

To shut someone or yourself away from the outside world

is about short, private confinement for meetings or secret work

C

to cloister away

vsto closet

9.1

To keep a person or thing alone in a quiet place away from other people

focuses on putting someone in a small room for private discussion or secrecy

C

to cabin

vsto closet

8.6

To keep someone in a small space so they cannot leave

is used for private meetings or secret work rather than mere space restriction

Antonyms

R

to release

∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

O

to open up

64 2.5

Make something not closed, for example by removing a lock or cover

Idioms

C

to come out of the closet

26 7.1

To tell people you are gay, lesbian, or bisexual

S

skeleton in the closet

• Informal

3 6.4

A secret from someone's past that can cause shame

C

to come out of the broom closet

• Informal

9.9

To tell other people that you practice witchcraft or Pagan beliefs after keeping it secret

Compounds

S

supply closet

• US

9 2.0

A small room where people keep office and cleaning supplies

B

broom closet

6 1.0

A small cupboard or room to keep cleaning tools like brooms and mops

C

coat closet

• US

3 1.0

A small space for hanging coats and jackets

W

water closet

• Archaic

3 6.1

A small room with a toilet for people to use

C

china closet

1 3.7

A cabinet with glass doors for storing and showing plates and cups

C

clothes closet

• US

1 1.1

A closet for keeping clothes like coats and dresses

C

closet auger

• Specialized

9.5

A plumbing tool with a long flexible shaft and a crank handle used to clear toilet clogs

C

closet drama

• Literature

9.9

A play written to be read rather than acted on stage

C

closet queen

• Slur

9.9

An insulting word for a man who hides that he is gay

E

earth-closet

• Archaic

9.9

A small outdoor toilet that uses earth to cover waste instead of flushing it

How Private

to imprison

• Formal

178 4.2

to closet

4 7.1

to seclude

2 6.7

to lock up

97 2.6

Surface Forms

Etymology