close-up
/ˈkləʊs.ʌp/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkloʊs.ʌp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈklōs-ˌəp/ (ame, mw)
close-up — noun
1. a picture or video image taken from a very short distance, making the subject ap
a picture or video image taken from a very short distance, making the subject appear large and full of fine detail
The photographer took a close-up of the bee as it landed on a sunflower.
close-up of + [subject]
In the final scene, the camera zooms in for a close-up of the actress's face.
zoom in for a close-up
A close-up of the old painting revealed tiny cracks in the surface.
Kofi used a special macro lens to shoot a close-up of the butterfly's wing.
The director wanted a close-up to show the fear in the character's eyes.
- macro shot
more technical, used for extreme close-up photography of very small subjects
- detail shot
focuses on a small part of a larger scene, not necessarily at very close range
- headshot
narrower — only a person's face and shoulders; a type of close-up in portrait photography
文法句型
close-up of [something]
verb + a close-up
in close-up
用法筆記
Commonly used with verbs like take, shoot, or get (e.g., 'get a close-up of'), and in the phrase 'in close-up' (e.g., 'the subject appears larger in close-up').
常見錯誤
close-up — phrasal verb
- close-upbase form
- close-ups3rd person singular
- close-uping-ing form
- close-upedpast simple
1. to lock a shop, office, or other building after business hours, typically until
to lock a shop, office, or other building after business hours, typically until the next opening time
The bakery closes up at 6 p.m. every evening.
intransitive: shop / premises + close up
Yara closed up the shop after the last customer left.
transitive: [person] + close up + [premises]
The museum closes up early on Christmas Eve.
Priya asked me to close up the office before I left for the night.
- open up
to unlock and open a shop or building for business
文法句型
close up (intransitive: shop/building closes)
close something up (transitive: person closes it)
用法筆記
Often used for small businesses or venues that close temporarily, not permanently. For permanent closure, use 'close down' or 'shut down'. The transitive form requires an object (the building or business being closed).
常見錯誤
2. to stop communicating your thoughts or feelings and become emotionally distant,
to stop communicating your thoughts or feelings and become emotionally distant, especially because of hurt or distrust
After the argument, Theo closed up and would not say a word.
[person] + close up — becoming silent and withdrawn
Whenever someone mentions her ex-husband, Hana closes up completely.
The patient closed up during the therapy session and stared at the floor.
Rashida noticed that her brother closed up whenever she asked about his job.
- open up
to begin sharing thoughts and feelings freely
文法句型
[person] + closes up
用法筆記
Subject is always a person (or occasionally an animal). Often triggered by a specific topic, question, or emotional event. Frequently used with 'completely' or 'entirely' for emphasis.
常見錯誤
3. when a wound or cut heals naturally, the skin grows back together and the openin
when a wound or cut heals naturally, the skin grows back together and the opening disappears
The small cut on Leila's finger closed up after only two days.
[body part] + close up — intransitive, describing natural healing
The doctor said the wound would close up on its own within a week.
His surgical incision closed up cleanly without any sign of infection.
A thin scar remained after the deep gash finally closed up.
- heal over
slightly more general, can refer to bones or internal injuries healing, not just skin
- knit together
more vivid, used when skin edges rejoin neatly
- open up
when a wound reopens or bleeds again
文法句型
[wound / cut / incision] + closes up
用法筆記
Always intransitive — the wound itself closes up, not a person closing it. Subject is always a cut, wound, gash, or surgical incision.
常見錯誤
4. to move nearer to one another, or to arrange individuals or items in a tighter f
to move nearer to one another, or to arrange individuals or items in a tighter formation with smaller gaps
The soldiers closed up their ranks when the officer shouted the order.
transitive: close up + [formation/ranks]
The crowd closed up to fill the gap near the stage.
intransitive: crowd / group + close up
Rohan asked the choir to close up so they would fit on the small platform.
The runners at the front closed up as they neared the finish line.
- spread out
to move apart and increase the space between people or things
文法句型
close up (intransitive: people/groups move closer)
close something up (transitive: bring things closer)
用法筆記
The transitive form is common in military contexts ('close up ranks'), while the intransitive form is used for crowds, groups, or formations reducing the gaps between them.
5. to become narrower or to shrink in width until an opening or gap between two sid
to become narrower or to shrink in width until an opening or gap between two sides is reduced or gone
The gap between the two buildings closed up after the foundation shifted.
[gap / opening] + close up — intransitive, describing narrowing
As the plant aged, the spaces between its leaves began to close up.
The narrow passage closed up over time as rubble piled against both walls.
The opening in the fence closed up when the metal bars expanded in the heat.
文法句型
[gap / opening / space] + closes up
用法筆記
Describes a physical change in width or shape — the sides of a gap moving toward each other. Not used for people voluntarily moving closer (see sense 4 for that). Subject is always a gap, opening, passage, or space.
close-up — adverb
1. from a very short distance; in a way that makes the subject appear large and det
from a very short distance; in a way that makes the subject appear large and detailed to the viewer
The nature documentary showed the lions close-up as they drank from the river.
show [something] close-up — positioning before or after the verb
You can see the brushstrokes better if you examine the painting close-up.
Diego filmed the parade close-up from a spot right next to the street.
The children watched the magician close-up, hoping to catch his secret move.
Seeing the famous monument close-up was far more impressive than in any photo.
- at close range
slightly more formal; often implies a short physical distance rather than a visual focus
- from up close
informal; places emphasis on the viewer's proximity
- from a distance
viewing something from far away
文法句型
see / film / show [something] close-up
look at [something] close-up
用法筆記
Functions as an adverb of manner or position. Typically placed after the verb (e.g., 'view it close-up') or after the object ('see the details close-up'). Not used before a noun — for that, use the noun form as a modifier ('a close-up view').