close down
Stop operating or functioning permanently
字面意思: To shut or move to a state of being finished/down
15秒了解
- Used for businesses stopping operations permanently.
- More serious and final than just 'closing'.
- Can be used for shops, factories, or websites.
意思
This phrase describes a business or organization stopping its operations forever. It is not just locking the door for the night; it is the final goodbye for that shop or office.
关键例句
3 / 6Talking about a local shop
The old bakery on the corner is going to close down next month.
The old bakery on the corner is going to close down next month.
A formal business announcement
Due to the recession, the company had to close down three branches.
Due to the recession, the company had to close down three branches.
Texting a friend about a gym
Did u hear? Our gym closed down! No more workouts lol.
Did u hear? Our gym closed down! No more workouts lol.
文化背景
The 'Death of the High Street' is a common news topic. Many traditional shops are closing down in town centers, leading to 'ghost towns.' The 'Retail Apocalypse' refers to the closing down of massive shopping malls as consumers move to Amazon and other online retailers. A 'Closing Down Sale' (or 'Going Out of Business Sale') is a major marketing event where prices are slashed to clear inventory. In football (soccer), 'closing down' is a tactical term for pressing the opponent to win the ball back.
Don't scare your boss!
If you say 'I'm closing down the office,' your boss might think the company is failing. Just say 'I'm closing the office' if you are just locking up for the night.
The Pronoun Rule
Always put 'it' or 'them' in the middle: 'Close it down,' never 'Close down it.'
15秒了解
- Used for businesses stopping operations permanently.
- More serious and final than just 'closing'.
- Can be used for shops, factories, or websites.
What It Means
Close down is a powerful phrasal verb. It means a business or shop is stopping all operations permanently. Think of it as the 'game over' screen for a company. When you hear this, it usually means the building will be empty soon. It is much more serious than just closing for the weekend.
How To Use It
You can use it as a transitive or intransitive verb. This means you can say 'The owner closed down the shop' or 'The shop closed down.' It is flexible! You often see it in the past tense because the bad news has already happened. Use it when talking about restaurants, factories, or even websites that stop working.
When To Use It
Use it when you see a 'Going Out of Business' sign. It is perfect for discussing the local economy with friends. You might say, 'I can't believe my favorite pizza place closed down!' It works well in business meetings too. If a branch is losing money, the boss might decide to close it down to save costs.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for people. If your friend is sleeping, they are not closing down. Also, do not use it for temporary things. If a shop is just closed for lunch, saying it closed down will cause a huge panic! It is only for the final, permanent end of a business.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, small towns often feel sad when local shops close down. It represents a change in the community. During economic recessions, you will see this phrase in every news headline. It carries a bit of weight and sometimes a sense of loss or nostalgia for 'the good old days.'
Common Variations
You might hear shut down which is almost identical. However, shut down is often used for machinery or computers too. Close down stays mostly in the world of business and buildings. Sometimes people use closure as the noun form, like 'The factory closure affected everyone.'
使用说明
The phrase is neutral and safe for almost any context. Just remember that it implies permanence; using it for a temporary closure is a common mistake that changes the meaning entirely.
Don't scare your boss!
If you say 'I'm closing down the office,' your boss might think the company is failing. Just say 'I'm closing the office' if you are just locking up for the night.
The Pronoun Rule
Always put 'it' or 'them' in the middle: 'Close it down,' never 'Close down it.'
Closing Down Sales
Be careful! Some shops use 'Closing Down Sale' signs for years just to get customers. It's a common marketing trick.
Memory Trick
Think of the business going 'down' into the ground (like a grave). It's dead!
例句
6The old bakery on the corner is going to close down next month.
The old bakery on the corner is going to close down next month.
Describes a permanent end to a neighborhood staple.
Due to the recession, the company had to close down three branches.
Due to the recession, the company had to close down three branches.
Professional tone used in corporate reporting.
Did u hear? Our gym closed down! No more workouts lol.
Did u hear? Our gym closed down! No more workouts lol.
Informal use in daily communication.
That store has been 'closing down' for five years just to sell cheap rugs!
That store has been 'closing down' for five years just to sell cheap rugs!
Joking about fake 'closing down' sales.
It was heartbreaking to see the family farm close down after eighty years.
It was heartbreaking to see the family farm close down after eighty years.
Expresses sadness over a long-term legacy ending.
The social media platform decided to close down its servers for good.
The social media platform decided to close down its servers for good.
Applies to digital businesses as well as physical ones.
自我测试
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'close down'.
The old cinema ________ last month because it wasn't making enough money.
The sentence refers to 'last month,' so we need the past simple tense.
Which sentence is correct?
The owner had to...
With separable phrasal verbs, the pronoun 'it' must go between the verb and the particle.
Match the sentence to the situation.
1. 'The shop is closing.' 2. 'The shop is closing down.'
'Close' is for the end of the day; 'close down' is for the end of the business.
Fill in the missing words in the dialogue.
A: Why is there a 'Sale' sign? B: They are ________ ________. Everything is 50% off.
A 'Closing Down Sale' is the standard term for a final sale before a shop closes forever.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Close vs. Close Down
练习题库
4 练习The old cinema ________ last month because it wasn't making enough money.
The sentence refers to 'last month,' so we need the past simple tense.
The owner had to...
With separable phrasal verbs, the pronoun 'it' must go between the verb and the particle.
1. 'The shop is closing.' 2. 'The shop is closing down.'
'Close' is for the end of the day; 'close down' is for the end of the business.
A: Why is there a 'Sale' sign? B: They are ________ ________. Everything is 50% off.
A 'Closing Down Sale' is the standard term for a final sale before a shop closes forever.
🎉 得分： /4
常见问题
12 个问题It is neutral. You can use it in a newspaper or in a casual chat with a friend.
No, you cannot 'close down' a person. You can 'shut someone down' (stop them from talking), but 'close down' is for organizations.
'Close' is temporary (for the night); 'close down' is permanent (forever).
Yes, it is very common to say a website or app is closing down.
Use 'closed down' for the past and 'close down' for the present or future.
No, that is not a word. Stick to 'closing down'.
They are almost the same. 'Shut down' sounds a bit more sudden or aggressive.
It means to run toward an opponent to stop them from having space or time with the ball.
Yes, if a school stops having students forever, it closes down.
It is two words as a verb (close down), but sometimes hyphenated as an adjective (a closing-down sale).
There isn't one perfect phrasal verb, but 'start up' or 'open up' are close.
No, use 'break up' or 'end'.
相关表达
shut down
synonymTo stop a machine or business from operating.
go out of business
synonymTo stop trading because of financial failure.
fold
similarA business failing suddenly.
wind up
specialized formTo end a company's existence legally.
close up
similarTo shut a building for the night or for a short time.
