close down

• (UK) IPA^(key): /kləʊzˈdaʊn/
• (US, Canada) IPA^(key): /kloʊzˈdaʊn/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /kləʉzˈdæɔn/

close down (third-person singular simple present closes down, present participle closing down, simple past and past participle closed down)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To stop trading as a business.

   Synonyms: close one's doors, close up, shut down, shutter, shut up

   The local factory will close down soon, unless sales pick up.

   They had to close the mine down as it was in a dangerous condition.

   • 2022 December 14, Christian Wolmar, “Productivity should play no part in pay negotiations”, in RAIL, number 972, page 46:

     Eventually the NUR overplayed its hands with an all-out strike. And when Peter Parker, the then-chairman of BR, who was well regarded among his staff, called their bluff by threatening to close down the entire network, they caved in.

2. (transitive) To surround someone, as to impede their movement.

   Synonym: shut down

   If anyone passes to Smith, close him down.

• closedown (noun)