close in
When something moves in from all sides and the space gets smaller and smaller.
Meanings
To surround or approach from all sides, reducing available space or escape routes.
"The police closed in from all directions, leaving the suspect nowhere to run."
Of daylight hours: to become shorter, so that it gets dark earlier (chiefly British).
"As October arrived, the evenings began to close in and it was dark by five o'clock."
Of bad weather, fog, or darkness: to approach and cover an area.
"The fog closed in rapidly, reducing visibility on the motorway to almost zero."
Often used in contexts of pursuit (police, enemies), weather (fog, darkness), or seasons (days getting shorter). The sense of surrounding or enclosing is central. Common in both literary and everyday registers.
Commonly used with
Forms
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