come up close

USAGE SUMMARY

"come up close" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to indicate that someone should move closer to someone or something in order to better inspect or observe it. For example, "Come up close and take a closer look at this painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"People come up close behind you because you're only going 25 miles per hour," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

"So what's the problem?" The gray-haired woman had come up close to Burke and was staring fiercely into his face.

The New Yorker

"I thought you'd like to see the deer come up close," said the woman who checked the house once a week for freezing pipes.

The New York Times

Come up close to a live volcano in Arenal National Park, explore Caribbean coral reefs in Cahuita, trek through tropical rainforest in Corcovado, spot sloths and monkeys in Manuel Antonio or look for green sea turtles in Tortuguero National Park.

Independent

Drawing is presented as a complex and potent phenomenon, all the more penetrating for refusing to let you keep your distance, demanding you come up close, meet it one on one, face to face.

The New York Times - Arts

When you turned to ask if there was more cheese, you saw that one of the horses had come up close and was snuffling at your mother's hair with his velvety lips.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Our playback procedure of distant neighbour song mimicked a group member leaving its territory and attempting to come up closer to the tested male.

Plosone

Locals say the river once came up close to the top of the road bridge but now it dribbles past, metres below.

Independent

"No one says, 'He's been inside'?" He came up closer, threatening.

The New Yorker

When he saw that Kirillov was still breathing, Gordeyev came up closer and shot him again, killing him, a student told his mother, who repeated the account.

Los Angeles Times

When Bandongo comes up close, I want to hug him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come up close" to encourage a listener or reader to inspect something more carefully or intimately.

Common error

Avoid using "come up close" when referring to abstract concepts; it is best reserved for physical proximity. Instead of saying "come up close to the truth", try "examine the truth more closely".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "come up close" is as a phrasal verb, typically functioning as an imperative, urging someone to reduce the distance between themselves and an object or person. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Wiki

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come up close" functions as an imperative phrasal verb, prompting someone to move nearer, generally for improved observation or interaction. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct. While relatively infrequent, it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. Alternatives such as "approach closely" or "draw near" can be considered depending on the desired level of formality. Remember that this phrase is generally used for physical proximity and not suitable for abstract contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approach closely

Emphasizes the act of nearing with minimal distance.

come nearer

Similar to "come up close" but employs a different adverb.

draw near

Highlights the act of reducing the separation distance.

move closer

Focuses on the act of physically reducing the distance.

get close

Slightly less formal phrasing, focusing on achieving proximity.

step forward

Suggests a directed movement to reduce separation.

get nearer

Indicates a gradual reduction of the distance.

advance towards

Highlights a determined motion to reduce distance.

approach me

Specifically directs the action of nearing towards the speaker.

near the object

Emphasizes the destination when reducing the separation.

FAQs

How can I use "come up close" in a sentence?

You can use "come up close" to invite someone to get physically closer, for example, "Come up close so you can see the details better".

What does "come up close" mean?

"Come up close" means to move nearer to something or someone, usually to observe or examine it more carefully.

What are some alternatives to "come up close"?

You can use phrases like "approach closely", "move closer", or "draw near" as alternatives to "come up close".

Is "come up close" formal or informal?

"Come up close" is generally considered informal. For formal contexts, consider using "approach closely" or "draw nearer".