close out

USAGE SUMMARY

"close out" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate the end of a task or activity, especially when it is the final step in a process. For example: "Let's close out the project by submitting the final report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mature teams close out games.

The New York Times

I wanted to close out the match".

The New York Times - Sports

"Just close out," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

She needed one to close out Hingis.

The New York Times - Sports

"I want to close out the project," Schmalensee said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Kastles often call on Reynolds to close out matches.

The New York Times - Sports

Worse was the inability to close out the game.

The New York Times - Sports

It is no way to close out a pennant race.

The New York Times - Sports

Like Janowicz, Kubot held comfortably to close out the match.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Another is a practice called "close-out netting".

The Economist

"They're just having a big year-end close-out".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close out" to denote the completion or termination of a task, project, or activity. It's especially useful when referring to the final steps in a process, such as "close out the fiscal year" or "close out the project by submitting the final report".

Common error

While "close out" is widely accepted, be mindful of its slight informality. In highly formal documents or presentations, consider using more formal alternatives like "conclude" or "finalize" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "close out" functions primarily as a verb of completion or termination. It signifies the act of finalizing, concluding, or ending something, whether it's a project, account, or process. Ludwig provides many examples demonstrating this usage, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Close out" is a versatile phrasal verb that signifies the completion or termination of a task, project, or account. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and professional settings. While acceptable in most situations, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "conclude" or "finalize" in highly formal communications. Remember to use "close out" to clearly indicate the final steps in a process and ensure all necessary actions have been taken for completion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete

Highlights the state of being finished or whole, lacking nothing essential.

wrap up

Suggests bringing something to a satisfactory conclusion, often used informally.

bring to a close

A more formal way of saying to end something, often used in official contexts.

finalize

Emphasizes the completion of a process or task, making it ready for its intended purpose.

finish off

Suggests completing the last part of something, often with a sense of finality.

terminate

Indicates a formal end to something, such as a contract or agreement.

conclude

Focuses on bringing something to an end, often a discussion or event, similar to finalizing or completing something.

settle

Implies resolving or concluding something, such as an argument or debt.

put the lid on

An informal way of saying to stop or end something, often abruptly.

call it a day

Indicates stopping work or activity, often at the end of the day.

FAQs

How can I use "close out" in a sentence?

You can use "close out" to indicate the completion or termination of something. For instance, "Let's "wrap up" the meeting and "close out" all pending tasks before the end of the day".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "close out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "finalize", "conclude", or ""wrap up"".

Is it appropriate to use "close out" in a professional setting?

Yes, "close out" is generally acceptable in professional settings, especially when discussing project management or financial matters. However, for highly formal documents, consider using a more formal alternative like "complete" or "finalize".

What's the difference between "close out" and "shut down"?

"Close out" typically refers to completing or terminating a process, task, or account, while "shut down" usually means to cease operations or deactivate a system or device. For example, you might ""close out"" a project, but you would "shut down" a computer.