1 B1 neutral
To physically block access to an area or space.
"The authorities closed off several streets in the city centre for the parade."
separable
close off
B2 neutral separable transitive
To block or restrict access to an area or thing, or to eliminate a possibility.
In plain English
To make it impossible to enter a place or to use a particular option.
What does "close off" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To eliminate an option, possibility, or avenue of action.
"Accepting that job would close off any chance of returning to academic research."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To stop engaging emotionally or conversationally; to shut oneself off.
"Whenever the argument got too heated, he would close off and refuse to speak."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To close ('close') and separate ('off') an area or possibility from access.
Actually means
To make it impossible to enter a place or to use a particular option.
Usage tip
Used for physical areas (roads, rooms) and figuratively for options, discussions, or emotional states. Common in both official/administrative and everyday language.
Words that pair with "close off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
road area option route discussion room
How to conjugate "close off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
close off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
closes off
he/she/it
Past simple
closed off
yesterday
Past participle
closed off
have + pp
-ing form
closing off
continuous
Hear "close off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "close off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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