closing in
Narrowing the gap
Closing in describes movement toward a target from multiple directions, creating a sense of tightening space or diminishing time.
Pursuers close in on their quarry; a deadline closes in; walls seem to close in during a panic attack.
Police were closing in on the suspect.
The phrase conveys mounting pressure or imminent arrival.
- nearingGetting progressively closer
- approachingComing toward something
- final approachLanding's concluding flight path
- zeroing inProgressively targeting something specific
- imminentAbout to occur
cornering · besieging · trapping · surrounding · impending · running out of time · converging · concentrating · focusing · suffocating · noose · forthcoming · encroaching · hemming · looming · enveloping · advancing · homing in
- approachingapproaching, nearing, coming, advancing, incoming
- futureforthcoming, upcoming, coming, impending, imminent
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- pursuitchase, chasing, pursuit, chase down, pursue
- stealthsneak, ninja, creep, spy, skulk
- approximatingguessing, estimating, rounding, ballparking, eyeballing
closing inretreating
Moving back from advance
pulling back · withdrawing · pulling away · backing off · receding
closing inlosing ground
falling behind · letting up · slipping away · dropping back · relenting
closing inwidening
Increasing in extent
opening up · dispersing · releasing · spreading out · loosening
close, closet, closed, closing, closer, closure, closest, enclosure, closes