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close with

C1 formal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To finish making an agreement with someone, or in old military language, to move very close to the enemy to fight.

Literal meaning: To come close ('close') and engage ('with') someone or something directly.

Meanings

1 C1 formal

To agree to a deal or accept an offer in a business or negotiation context.

"After weeks of negotiations, they finally closed with the buyer on a satisfactory price."

Grammar: inseparable
2 C1 formal

In military contexts: to move close enough to an enemy force to engage in direct combat (archaic/historical).

"The infantry was ordered to close with the enemy at dawn and drive them from the ridge."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The business/negotiation sense is formal and found in legal and commercial contexts. The military sense is largely archaic but appears in historical texts. Learners may also encounter it in the sense of concluding a letter or speech with a particular statement.

Commonly used with

deal offer terms enemy letter speech

Forms

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

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