enemy close

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enemy close" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing strategy, relationships, or situations where one must be aware of potential threats or adversaries nearby. Example: "In negotiations, it's often wise to keep your enemy close, as it allows you to anticipate their moves."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

For the soldiers of the First Brigade, encountering the enemy close up for the first time, Kifl seemed apocalyptic.

The New York Times

Maybe, calculating that it would be difficult to sue HBO out of existence, he prefers to hold his enemy close.

The New Yorker

Even a military dictatorship would have an enemy close at hand: the pseudocapitalists who hijacked the Russian economy and stole the bread from Russian mouths.

Forbes

Keep your enemy close.

WikiHow

Enemy close to your aura sphere get damaged continually.

WikiHow

But watch out: your own grenades can hurt you, so make sure to get away from them if you're throwing them at an enemy close to you.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

However, such a strike would bring opposition groups linked to Al Qaeda, America's most dangerous enemy, closer to power in Syria.

The New York Times

While grappling with MSNBC and CNN for viewers, Fox News has also been battling a smaller, more insidious enemy closer to home: bed bugs in its Midtown Manhattan newsroom.

The New York Times - Arts

Wake up, KD: LeBron is keeping his friends close and his enemy closer.

Huffington Post

The old adage is true if you keep your friends close, keep your enemy closer.

WikiHow

Like keeping your enemies close".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "enemy close", ensure the context clearly defines who the enemy is. Provide specifics to avoid ambiguity and strengthen the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "enemy close" without proper context. Overgeneralization can dilute the phrase's power and confuse the reader. Instead, identify specific threats or adversaries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enemy close" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, often serving as shorthand for potential danger or strategic positioning. Ludwig shows its use in varied contexts, emphasizing its adaptability. It can also introduce a clause that emphasizes the need for vigilance and readiness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "enemy close" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it can be used in written English in various situations discussing strategy or relationships. The phrase appears most often in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When using the phrase, make sure to clarify who the enemy is, to enhance the message and prevent confusion. Alternatives such as "adversary nearby" or "threat in proximity" are available, each with a different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adversary nearby

Replaces "enemy" with "adversary" emphasizing the oppositional nature and "close" with "nearby" indicating spatial proximity.

threat in proximity

Substitutes "enemy" with "threat", focusing on potential danger, and "close" with "in proximity", increasing formality.

opponent within reach

Replaces "enemy" with "opponent", highlighting a competitive context, and "close" with "within reach", suggesting potential engagement.

foe in vicinity

Uses "foe" as a synonym for "enemy", conveying hostility, and "in vicinity" for "close", adding formality.

rival at hand

Employs "rival" to indicate competition and "at hand" to signify immediate presence.

antagonist adjacent

Replaces "enemy" with "antagonist", underscoring conflict, and "close" with "adjacent", denoting physical closeness.

nemesis near

Uses "nemesis" to suggest a persistent and formidable enemy, and "near" for simple proximity.

challenger in close range

Indicates an active competitor ("challenger") who is "in close range", implying immediate competition.

attacker approaching

Focuses on impending aggression, replacing "enemy" with "attacker" and "close" with "approaching", indicating movement.

aggressor in the area

Highlights hostile intent, using "aggressor" instead of "enemy" and specifying location with "in the area".

FAQs

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

You can use "enemy close" to describe a situation where a threat or adversary is nearby. For instance, "During the negotiation, it's crucial to keep your enemy close to understand their strategy."

What does it mean to keep your "enemy close"?

To keep your "enemy close" means to maintain proximity to an adversary, often to monitor their actions, anticipate their moves, or potentially influence them. It's a strategic approach used in various contexts, including politics, business, and personal relationships.

Are there alternative phrases to "enemy close" that I can use?

Yes, alternatives include phrases like "adversary nearby", "threat in proximity", or "opponent within reach", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the origin of the saying keep your friends close but your "enemies closer"?

The saying "keep your friends close, but your enemies closer" is often attributed to the novel and film The Godfather, although similar sentiments have been expressed in earlier historical and literary works. The phrase emphasizes the importance of understanding and monitoring one's adversaries, perhaps even more closely than one's allies.