Browse all

close down

B1 neutral separable both
In simple words

When a shop, company, or service stops existing and never opens again.

Literal meaning: To close ('close') and bring activity down to nothing ('down').

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

Of a business or organisation: to permanently or indefinitely stop operating.

"The local bookshop closed down after thirty years because it could no longer compete with online retailers."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To force a business, service, or operation to stop functioning.

"The authorities closed down the illegal radio station after just three days."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 neutral

In broadcasting: to end transmissions for the day (dated/historical).

"The TV channel used to close down at midnight with the national anthem."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Used for businesses, shops, factories, radio/TV stations, and websites. Can be transitive (the government closed it down) or intransitive (the shop closed down). The implication is often permanent. Common in journalism and everyday speech.

Commonly used with

shop factory business station school service

Forms

Base
close down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
closes down
he/she/it
Past simple
closed down
yesterday
Past participle
closed down
have + pp
-ing form
closing down
continuous

Understand "close down" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "close down" on Looplines