close in
Narrow the gap
Close in means to approach or surround something, typically with intent to capture, confront, or enclose.
When predators or pursuers close in, they reduce the distance to their target: The wolves closed in on the injured deer.
Weather or darkness can close in, suggesting an oppressive or confining encroachment: Fog closed in around the harbor.
Walls or spaces that close in on you feel increasingly cramped or claustrophobic.
Way of handling something
- advanceMove or progress forward
- nearShort distance away
- encircleSurround on all sides
- surroundEnclose on every side
tighten · narrow · squeeze · press · compress · contract · shrink · constrict
approach
Way of handling something
surround · tighten · narrow · squeeze · press · compress · contract · shrink · constrict · hem in
creep
Stealthy, slow movement
gain · overtake · catch up · pursue · hunt · stalk · track · tail · shadow · follow
dwindle
Decrease gradually over time
wane · ebb · fade · sunset · dusk · nightfall · darkness · evening · twilight
- enclosingenvelop, surround, wrap, encircle, encase
- expressions about containmentboxed in, bottled up, hemmed in, penned in, locked in
- inward movementinhale, absorb, intake, retract, withdraw
- motion idiomsin motion, on the move, on the go, move forward, move along
- zeroing infocus, aim, target, pinpoint, hone in
- mob attackswarm, mob, gang up, pile on, dogpile