close haul

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close haul" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of sailing to describe a sailing course that is as close to the wind as possible while still maintaining speed. Example: "The captain instructed the crew to close haul the sails to maximize our speed against the wind."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Close haul.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Close hauled.

The New Yorker

From the outset, he hurled buckets of unfamiliar terms at us, and quickly: not just port and starboard, but also backstays and shrouds and spreaders, luff and leech, close hauls and close reaches and beam reaches and broad reaches.

The New York Times - Sports

This will then put you in a close hauled or reach point of sailing.

WikiHow

You will now be out of ions and sailing on a reach or close hauled point of sailing.

WikiHow

He took a victory lap after the deal closed, hauling his three kids around Europe, running a triathlon in Zurich and shadowing the Tour de France by bike.

Forbes

a Dumps close to haul roads, b dumps with high slope angles.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

Thistle responded well and Higginbotham came close to hauling his side level.

BBC

Spartans came close to hauling themselves level three minutes from time when Nixon's strike came back off the woodwork but Berwick held on to secure a trip in Easter Road in the last eight.

BBC

I came this close to hauling him into NPR's studio one morning until I found a last-minute babysitter.

Huffington Post

Closing long-haul train routes altogether would also help, but Congress would dislike that even more than giving Amtrak extra money.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close haul", ensure the context clearly involves sailing or nautical activities. This term is specific to sailing and should not be used metaphorically in unrelated situations.

Common error

Avoid using "close haul" in contexts unrelated to sailing. Using it metaphorically or in other fields can lead to confusion and misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close haul" functions as a nautical term describing a specific sailing maneuver. It specifies how a sailboat is oriented relative to the wind. As Ludwig AI explains, it refers to sailing as close to the wind as possible while still maintaining speed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "close haul" is a nautical expression denoting a sailing technique where a vessel sails as close to the wind as feasible. Analysis reveals it's grammatically sound, though rare in general usage, primarily appearing in sailing contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is correct and usable. Related terms include "sailing close to the wind" and "beating to windward". When writing, use it only in nautical contexts to avoid confusion. Its function is to describe a sailing maneuver, its purpose is instructional, and its register is informal, reflecting its origin in sailing practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sailing close to the wind

Describes a similar sailing technique focusing on the boat's angle relative to the wind.

beating to windward

Indicates sailing against the wind using a series of tacks.

sailing upwind

A general term for sailing in a direction opposing the wind.

on a close reach

Sailing with the wind slightly off the bow, closer to upwind than a beam reach.

hard on the wind

Emphasizes the effort to sail as directly as possible against the wind.

tight haul

Refers to the adjustment of the sails to maximize efficiency when sailing upwind.

pointing high

Focuses on achieving the highest possible angle relative to the wind.

windward sailing

Highlights the act of sailing towards the direction from which the wind is blowing.

sailing to weather

Describes the act of gaining ground upwind relative to a fixed point.

close-winded sailing

A broader term indicating sailing in conditions where the wind is a primary factor.

FAQs

What does "close haul" mean in sailing?

In sailing, "close haul" refers to sailing as close to the wind as possible, typically around 45 degrees, while still maintaining forward momentum.

How do you "close haul" a sailboat?

To "close haul" a sailboat, you steer as close to the wind as possible and trim the sails tightly. This involves tightening the sheets to bring the sails inward and adjusting the sail trim for optimal performance.

What are some alternatives to saying "close haul"?

You can use alternatives like "sailing close to the wind", "beating to windward", or "sailing upwind" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "close haul" a formal or informal term?

"Close haul" is a technical term used within the context of sailing. While not overly formal, it is more common among sailors and those familiar with nautical terminology than in general conversation.