close top

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close top" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something being closed at the top, but without additional context, it is ambiguous. Example: "Make sure to close the top of the container tightly to prevent spills."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Put them on grill, and close top, or put them in roasting pan in oven.

The New York Times - Food

Then, just as the year was drawing to a close, top fund manager Jonathan Paul Burrows was banned from working in the City as a result of his dishonesty and lack of integrity after dodging almost £43,000 in train fares.

The Guardian - Business

Aberdeen had earlier gone close, top scorer Adam Rooney testing Radoslaw Cierzniak with a header which the keeper saved at the second attempt.

BBC

Hostility to the U.S. at the time in Egypt was substantial because the U.S. was seen as having been far too close top the Mubaraks.

Huffington Post

Close top.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The find — 18 notebooks of General Mladic's wartime military diaries, 120 sound recordings, cellphone cards, computer memory sticks and a pile of documents — provides some of the most compelling evidence yet of the close, top-level coordination of the Bosnian Serb Army and Serbia, a connection both parties always denied.

The New York Times

Food and drink (except closed top bottled water) are prohibited in Page Auditorium, R.J. Reynolds Industries Theater, and Sheafer Lab Theater.

Duke University

He was known to keep largely to himself and his closest top-tier executives.

The New York Times

"Sometimes process and outcome are not related". Really good processes can yield terrible products and sometimes closed, top-down processes can produce amazing products.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He wants to close on top".

The New York Times - Food

I'm close to top people in the U.S. military.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone, always use precise language like "close the lid" or "seal the top" instead of the ambiguous "close top" to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "close top" in instructions. Instead, specify what needs to be closed, such as "close the container", "close the lid", or "close the valve" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close top" primarily functions as an instruction, though its grammatical correctness is questionable. Ludwig AI indicates it's not standard English. The examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in directions (e.g., cooking, crafting), where it implies sealing or covering something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close top" is an instruction that generally means to shut or seal something, but is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. Its usage is relatively rare and primarily appears in informal contexts like WikiHow articles and some news reports. For clearer and more precise communication, especially in formal settings, it's advisable to use alternatives like "close the lid", "seal the container", or "shut the opening". These options specify exactly what action needs to be taken, preventing ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close the lid

Uses 'lid' to specify what is being closed, enhancing clarity.

seal the top

Replaces "close" with "seal" for greater clarity and emphasizes complete closure.

seal the lid

Specifically refers to sealing a lid to ensure a tight closure.

shut the top

Uses "shut" instead of "close", providing a slightly more forceful tone.

cover the top

Focuses on placing a covering over the top surface.

cap the top

Emphasizes the action of putting a cap or lid on something.

secure the top

Highlights the act of fastening or making the top stable and closed.

fasten the top

Focuses on attaching or connecting the top securely.

shut the opening

Emphasizes closing a hole or aperture.

seal the aperture

Focuses on completely sealing a specific opening or gap.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "close top" to be more grammatically correct?

To improve the grammar, use phrases like "close the lid", "seal the container", or "shut the top" to specify exactly what needs to be closed.

What does "close top" mean in cooking instructions?

In cooking, "close top" usually means to shut the lid of a pot, grill, or container. For clarity, it's better to say "close the lid of the pot" or "cover the dish".

Is "close top" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "close top" is not suitable for formal writing. Use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "seal the package" or "secure the closure".

What's a better way to say "close top" when referring to packaging?

For packaging, consider using "seal the package", "close the box", or "secure the container" instead of "close top".