close the distance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close the distance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to imply a desire to make the space between two people (or things) smaller, either literally or figuratively. For example, "We could use some time apart, but I'd like to close the distance between us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Watching him close the distance is the novel's greatest pleasure.

The New York Times - Books

Björk often uses the second person to close the distance between herself and others.

The New Yorker

She also wants to close the distance between non-Arabs and locals.

The Economist

The researchers found that they had to close the distance to just 5-20 nanometres.

The Economist

She's moving around the ring nicely as Shields looks to close the distance and make it a rough fight.

The Guardian - Sport

The heavy handed Stephens, a former light-weight contender, will need to close the distance on Holloway fast though.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Cars only make us feel free -- because they close the distances gaped by the sprawl they spawned.

Huffington Post

We closed the distance.

The New York Times - Sports

He has closed the distance, I mean, not me.

The New Yorker

How fast was the officer closing the distance on Bland before she changed lanes?

The New York Times

The therapist tries, gently, to lead the man back into the narrative, gradually closing the distance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close the distance" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates the type of distance being reduced, whether it's emotional, social, or intellectual.

Common error

Avoid using "close the distance" when intending to describe a competitive race result where one participant nearly wins, it suggests completion not near completion. Use "narrowly missed" the target instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close the distance" functions as a verb phrase, where "close" acts as the verb and "the distance" serves as the direct object. It describes the action of reducing a gap, either physical or metaphorical. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close the distance" is a versatile phrase that signifies reducing separation, both literally and figuratively. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts. Its communicative purpose is to express the action of diminishing a gap, be it physical, emotional, or conceptual. While generally neutral, its usage is prevalent in news, wiki and media as well as formal and business settings. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the type of distance being addressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bridge the gap

Emphasizes filling a void or disparity between two entities.

narrow the divide

Focuses on reducing differences or disagreements.

reduce the separation

Highlights the act of lessening the space between objects or ideas.

bring closer together

Implies a unification or increased proximity.

overcome the barrier

Stresses conquering obstacles that cause separation.

reach an agreement

Focuses on the end result of bridging the gap between two parties

foster understanding

Implies the creation of mutual understanding to reduce differences.

improve connection

Highlights a bettered relational link, physically or emotionally.

diminish the space

Directly refers to decreasing the physical or abstract area separating entities.

approximate

This alternative implies achieving closeness without necessarily complete union or bridging the entire distance.

FAQs

How can "close the distance" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "close the distance" can be used both literally, such as "The runner needed to close the distance in the final stretch", and figuratively, like "Open communication can help close the distance between team members".

What does "close the distance" mean in a metaphorical sense?

Metaphorically, "close the distance" refers to reducing the gap or separation between people, ideas, or concepts. It often implies improving understanding, empathy, or agreement.

Which is a more formal way to say "close the distance"?

In a more formal context, you could use phrases like "bridge the gap" or "narrow the divide", which convey a similar meaning of reducing separation but with a more professional tone.

What are common contexts where "close the distance" is used?

The phrase "close the distance" is commonly used in sports (reducing physical space), relationships (reducing emotional space), and business (improving communication or understanding between parties).