close down

• IPA^(key): /kləʊzˈdaʊn/

close down (third-person singular simple present closes down, present participle closing down, simple past and past participle closed down)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To stop trading as a business.

   The local factory will close down soon, unless sales pick up.

   They had to close the mine down as it was in a dangerous condition.

   • 2022 December 14, Christian Wolmar, “Productivity should play no part in pay negotiations”, in RAIL, number 972, page 46:

     Eventually the NUR overplayed its hands with an all-out strike. And when Peter Parker, the then-chairman of BR, who was well regarded among his staff, called their bluff by threatening to close down the entire network, they caved in.

   Synonym: close one's doors

2. (transitive) To surround someone, as to impede their movement.

   If anyone passes to Smith, close him down.

• close up
• shut down
• shut up