close over

USAGE SUMMARY

"close over" is not a common expression in written English.
If you are looking to convey the idea of something coming down to cover or enclose something else, you can use the expression "close over." Here is an example: The canopy of clouds closed over the valley.

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Waters would soon close over Srinagar.

The New Yorker

"Otherwise the bureaucratic waters will close over".

The Guardian - Opinion

Monsoon floods, triggered by days of heavy rainfall, have forced authorities to close over 200 schools in Bangladesh.

Unicef

Doors close over time.

The New York Times

Close over it, two men face each other.

The New Yorker

Cort and Ashby grew close over the production.

The Guardian - Film

"And we just got close over our stories".

The Guardian - Music

They remained close over the years, attending each others' weddings.

The New York Times

The siblings have grown very close over the years.

The New York Times - Sports

Only Manly come close over that time with four.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

These include harassment of reconnaissance planes, close over-flights over warships and Russian "mock bombing raid" missions.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical actions, ensure the subject performing the action is clear. For example, "The waves closed over the boat" is clearer than "Waters closed over".

Common error

Avoid using "close over" when a more common or precise phrasal verb exists. For example, use "cover" or "enclose" when describing physical actions, and "end" or "conclude" when describing the termination of an event.

Linguistic Context

"Close over" functions as a phrasal verb. Its primary grammatical function depends on the context. It can describe a physical action (like water covering something), a process (like a relationship developing), or the termination of something. Ludwig confirms its use in various contexts, though it may not be the most common choice.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close over" is a phrasal verb with multiple meanings, including physically covering something, the ending of something, or people becoming closer. While Ludwig AI indicates that "close over" is not a common expression in written English, it does appear in various contexts, particularly in news and media. Care should be taken to choose the most appropriate phrasal verb for the intended meaning and to ensure clarity. The phrase is most commonly used in news reporting and business documents and has a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover up

Focuses on concealing something by covering it.

shut down

Implies a cessation of operations or activity.

draw near

Emphasizes the approach or nearing of something, like a deadline.

descend upon

Conveys the idea of something enveloping or affecting something else.

befall

Highlights something happening or descending upon someone, typically negative.

come to an end

Highlights that something has finished.

grow closer

Highlights a gradual process of increasing closeness.

move closer

Highlights physical or emotional proximity.

become intimate

Focuses on developing a close personal relationship.

fall over

Focuses on something collapsing or toppling.

FAQs

What does "close over" mean?

"Close over" can have different meanings depending on the context. It can refer to physically covering something, the ending of something, or people becoming closer. It can also refer to something drawing nearer.

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

Here are some examples: "Waters would soon "close over" Srinagar", "Cort and Ashby grew "close over" the production", "The waters of the Baltic "close over" me".

What can I say instead of "close over"?

You can use alternatives like "cover up", "shut down", or "draw near" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "close over"?

"Close over" is appropriate when you want to convey a sense of something covering or enveloping something else, of an event ending, or when describing the process of people growing closer. However, make sure that in your specific case no better alternative exists.