close budget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close budget" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to refer to a budget that is nearly exhausted or tightly constrained, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "We need to find ways to cut costs because we are operating on a close budget this quarter."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"He believes the way to close budget deficits is to raise taxes.

The New York Times

And its governor, Andrew Cuomo, plans to close some prisons to close budget gaps.

The Economist

"Most of us in the classical music world live on a very close budget.

The New York Times

In an effort to close budget gaps, state and local governments have cut spending much more deeply than previously thought.

The New York Times

During Mayor Edward I. Koch's first term, he had to close budget shortfalls of roughly 10percentt of city spending.

The New York Times

Government agencies, many of them already cutting programs to close budget deficits, may have been hurt worst, economists said.

The New York Times

After adding jobs through last year, local and state governments have also begun to make cuts to close budget deficits".

The New York Times

When other states close budget deficits and curb rising costs, he said in unveiling his budget plan on Tuesday, they are reading from the New Jersey playbook.

The New York Times

Instead of saving money, swap deals are liabilities, redirecting money that could maintain essential services, create good jobs and close budget gaps.

The New York Times

On Friday, Spain suffered another downgrade of its debt even as calls were increasing for early elections after the close budget vote.

The New York Times

And because many states have been forced to close budget gaps year after year, these decisions are having an outsized impact, and intensifying fiscal pressures.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial matters, prioritize using precise language. Instead of saying "close budget", use phrases like "balance the budget" or "reduce the deficit" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using imprecise phrasing when describing financial situations. Incorrect terms like "close budget" can confuse readers. Instead, use established terms such as "budget deficit", "fiscal gap", or "funding shortfall" to clearly and accurately describe the financial situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close budget" typically functions as part of a longer phrase, often as a verb followed by a noun, such as "close budget gaps" or "close budget deficits". It describes an action related to financial management, even though, as Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is not grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "close budget" appears frequently in news and media, it is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. The intended meaning is usually related to addressing budget deficits or shortfalls. Therefore, it's best to use more precise and established terms like "balance the budget", "reduce the deficit", or "eliminate budget gaps" to maintain clarity and professionalism. Despite its common usage, especially in reporting about government and organizational finances, opting for grammatically sound alternatives will enhance your writing's credibility. Be precise in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tight budget

Emphasizes the limited nature of available funds.

close the deficit

Focuses on eliminating the budget gap.

balanced budget

Focuses on achieving equilibrium between income and expenditure.

reduce the deficit

Highlights the action of decreasing the budget shortfall.

address budget shortfalls

Focuses on tackling and resolving the budget deficiencies.

eliminate the deficit

Highlights the goal of completely removing the budget shortfall.

resolve budget issues

Focuses on finding solutions to budgetary problems.

curb spending

Highlights the action of reducing or controlling expenditures.

manage fiscal constraints

Emphasizes dealing with limitations in financial resources.

alleviate financial strain

Highlights the act of reducing financial pressure or burden.

FAQs

What does it mean to "close a budget gap"?

To "close a budget gap" means to eliminate a shortfall in funds by either increasing revenue, decreasing spending, or a combination of both.

What are some strategies for addressing a budget deficit?

Strategies for addressing a budget deficit include "raising taxes", "cutting spending", "reducing debt", and "restructuring financial obligations".

Is it more accurate to say "close a budget deficit" or "reduce a budget deficit"?

"Close the deficit" implies completely eliminating the shortfall, while "reduce the deficit" suggests lessening the shortfall but not necessarily eliminating it entirely. Both are correct depending on the context.

What are the consequences of failing to "close budget gaps"?

Failing to close budget gaps can lead to "increased debt", "reduced services", "economic instability", and a "loss of investor confidence".