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Glite Dictionary
to close down

to close down

175 2.9
To stop operating permanently, like a shop or company
  • phrasal verb
  • /kloʊz daʊn/
: cerrar
  • The owners decided to close down the restaurant after twenty years of service.
  • government closed down
  • close down the university
  • close down the facility

The one that was there was closed down long ago.

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Examples

  • They're closing down the John Nike Leisure Centre.

    Ali G Indahouse (2002)

  • The city council voted to close down the old library because it was no longer safe.

  • Just a few days ago we had to close down.

    Movie Movie (1978)

  • The plant was supposed to close down in 1972, but it is still operating.

    Academic text (1990)

  • In the months after SARS first appeared, the Chinese government closed down its live wildlife markets.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The Democracy Party was closed down and its parliamentarians were sent to prison.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Last year, AKP passed legislation to close down all private tutorial schools in Turkey.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Due to financial difficulties, the company is going to close down its operations next month.

Synonyms

to close
vsto close down
∞ 1.0

To shut something so it is not open

applies specifically to permanent ending of business activity rather than simple closure
to shut down
vsto close down
∞ 2.9

Stop a machine, business, or system from working

restricts meaning to permanent business cessation rather than temporary shutdowns
to close up
vsto close down
77 3.5

To stop a shop or business from operating

specifies permanent stopping rather than allowing for temporary closures
to fold
vsto close down
72 5.3

Close a business because it cannot pay its costs

denotes permanent cessation without implying a specific financial cause
to disband
vsto close down
43 4.3

To stop being a group, for example a band or committee

focuses on ending business or organizational operations rather than group breakup
to close up shop
vsto close down
13 3.9

To stop doing business for a short time or forever

emphasizes permanent cessation rather than temporary stopping for a short time
to close its doors
vsto close down
11 4.0

To permanently stop operating as a business or organization

is the same permanent stoppage expressed in the more general definition
to fold up
vsto close down
3 4.4

Close a shop or business and stop trading

is the general permanent end of operations without stressing cause
to shut up shop
vsto close down
  • UK
1 4.7

Close a shop for the day or forever

indicates permanent closure of operations rather than daily or short breaks

Antonyms

to open
∞ 1.0

To begin an event or activity

to start up
126 3.2

To begin a new business or project

How Permanent

to liquidate
  • Specialized
22 7.3
to close down
175 2.9
to shut down
∞ 2.9
to suspend
228 3.9
to pause
336 1.0

Surface Forms

close down infinitive
closed down past
closed down past participle
closing down present participle
closes down third person singular

Morphology

close + down

The meaning 'to stop operating permanently' is directly derivable from combining 'close' (to bring to an end) with the particle 'down' which adds a sense of complete cessation; this composition follows common English verb+particle patterns. A B1 learner who knows both constituents would very likely infer the intended sense (especially for businesses/organizations), so the expression is transparently compositional.

Etymology

Close down comes from the image of a shop owner pulling a heavy shutter or gate down to close the door and never open it again. That's why it means 'to stop operating permanently'.