close the book

USAGE SUMMARY

"close the book" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used as a command or request for someone to physically close a book, or it can be used figuratively to mean to finish or put an end to something. Examples: 1. "Close the book when you're finished reading, please." 2. "It's time to close the book on that chapter of our lives and move on." 3. "I wish I could just close the book on my past mistakes and start fresh." 4. "Can you close the book on this project by the end of the week?" 5. "After years of conflict, the two leaders finally agreed to close the book on their differences and work towards peace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

If you close the book, he's gone.

The New Yorker

She urged my mother to close the book.

The New York Times

I read a page or two, then close the book.

The New Yorker

You close the book in a state of mild shock.

The New Yorker

This might seem a good moment to close the book.

The Guardian - Sport

You'd spit in disgust and then just close the book".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

O.K., time to close the books on 2012.

The New Yorker

They don't know how to close the books.

Harvard Business Review

Others said it may be time to close the books.

The New York Times

But when I close the books their beliefs remain a mystery.

The New York Times - Books

But experts are unwilling to close the books on HGV.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close the book" when you want to convey the idea of ending something decisively, whether it's a project, a relationship, or a period of time. It adds a sense of finality.

Common error

Avoid using "close the book" in contexts where a simple 'end' or 'finish' would suffice. Overusing idiomatic expressions can make your writing sound unnatural or forced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close the book" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression, often used as a verb phrase. It signifies the completion, termination, or finalization of a process, event, or period. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is recognized as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "close the book" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for indicating the end or completion of something. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, it conveys a sense of finality. While the expression is common, avoid overuse and be mindful of the context to ensure its appropriate use. Consider alternatives like "conclude the matter" or "wrap things up" for nuanced differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conclude the matter

Focuses on ending a specific issue or problem.

put an end to

Highlights the act of stopping something from continuing.

end the discussion

Highlights the termination of a conversation or debate.

bring to a close

A formal way of expressing the act of ending something.

finalize the deal

Emphasizes completing an agreement or transaction.

settle the issue

Suggests resolving a contentious point or dispute.

finish up

Indicates the completion of something, often a task or project.

wrap things up

A more casual way to express finishing a task or project.

draw a line under it

An idiomatic way of saying to put something behind you.

cease and desist

Legal term implying to stop an action.

FAQs

How can I use "close the book" in a sentence?

You can use "close the book" to mean ending something, like in the sentence "It's time to "close the book" on that chapter of our lives and move on."

What is a good alternative to "close the book"?

Alternatives include "conclude the matter", "put an end to", or "wrap things up" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "closes the book" instead of "close the book"?

While "close the book" is an infinitive form or a command, "closes the book" is the third-person singular present tense. Use "closes the book" when the subject is a singular noun or pronoun (e.g., "He closes the book").

What does it mean to "close the books"?

To "close the books" generally refers to completing the accounting process for a specific period, like at the end of a month or year. It's a business term related to finance.