1 B2 neutral
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."
inseparable
close in
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To approach from all sides, reducing the space around something; also used of darkness or bad weather approaching.
In plain English
When something moves in from all sides and the space gets smaller and smaller.
What does "close in" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
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."
inseparable
3 B2 neutral
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."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move ('close') inward ('in') from all sides.
Actually means
When something moves in from all sides and the space gets smaller and smaller.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "close in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
darkness fog night enemy troops winter
How to conjugate "close in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
close in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
closes in
he/she/it
Past simple
closed in
yesterday
Past participle
closed in
have + pp
-ing form
closing in
continuous
Hear "close in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "close in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.