close off

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close off

The city had to close off the street for repairs.

Definition
  1. Verb (transitive):
    • To block or seal a passage, entrance, or opening, preventing movement or access.
    • To isolate or separate an area or a person from others.
    • To stop the flow or supply of something, such as a utility.
Usage
  • The primary use is to describe the act of physically sealing an area or stopping a flow. It often implies a deliberate action to create a barrier or cessation.
  • It can be used in both literal (physical blocking) and more figurative (social or economic isolation) contexts, though the physical sense is more common.
Examples
  • Literal (Blocking a passage):
    • The police decided to close off the street after the accident.
    • They used barriers to close off the construction site.
  • Literal (Stopping a flow):
    • Remember to close off the main water valve before repairing the pipe.
    • The technician closed off the gas line for safety.
  • Figurative (Isolating):
    • Living in the remote village closed her off from modern cultural trends.
    • His stubborn attitude closed him off from valuable feedback.
Advanced Usage
  • In Economic/Political Contexts: Can describe imposing sanctions or barriers.
    • The sanctions effectively closed off the country from international financial markets.
  • In Emotional Contexts: Describes becoming emotionally unavailable.
    • After the betrayal, he closed himself off to new relationships.
Variants and Related Words
  • Shut off: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "close off," especially regarding stopping flow or isolating.
    • Shut off the engine.
  • Seal off: Emphasizes making an area airtight or completely inaccessible, often for containment.
    • Health officials sealed off the contaminated zone.
  • Block off: Similar to "close off," focusing on obstruction.
    • They blocked off the old tunnel.
Synonyms
  • Block: To obstruct a passage.
  • Barricade: To block with a barrier, especially for defense.
  • Isolate: To set apart from others.
  • Disconnect: To break a connection, often for utilities.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Close down: To stop operating a business permanently.
    • The factory closed down last year.
  • Close in on: To surround and approach nearer.
    • The police closed in on the suspect's hideout.
Related Idioms
  • Close ranks: To unite closely, especially for defense, thereby excluding others.
    • The team closed ranks to protect their manager from criticism.
  • Behind closed doors: Happening in private, not publicly.
    • The negotiations took place behind closed doors.
close off

The city had to close off the street for repairs.

Verb
  1. block off the passage through
    • We shut off the valve
  2. isolate or separate
    • She was shut off from the friends
  3. stem the flow of
    • shut off the gas when you leave for a vacation

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