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Glite Dictionary
to close down

to close down

94 2.9
To stop operating permanently, like a shop or company
  • phrasal verb
  • /kloʊz daʊn/
translation icon : 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
541 2.9

Stop a machine, business, or system from working

restricts meaning to permanent business cessation rather than temporary shutdowns
to fold
vsto close down
81 5.3

Close a business because it cannot pay its costs

denotes permanent cessation without implying a specific financial cause
to close up
vsto close down
44 3.5

To stop a shop or business from operating

specifies permanent stopping rather than allowing for temporary closures
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 its doors
vsto close down
17 4.0

To permanently stop operating as a business or organization

is the same permanent stoppage expressed in the more general definition
to close up shop
vsto close down
11 3.9

To stop doing business for a short time or forever

emphasizes permanent cessation rather than temporary stopping for a short time
to fold up
vsto close down
1 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
16 3.2

To begin a new business or project

How Permanent

to liquidate
  • Specialized
25 7.3
to close down
94 2.9
to shut down
541 2.9
to suspend
141 3.9
to pause
346 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'.