at close quarters

/æt kloʊs ˈkwɔrtɚz/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
At a very short distance from someone or something.

Examples

  • The soldiers fought at close quarters in the narrow street.
  • The camera shows the craft at close quarters.
  • She had never seen a whale at close quarters.
  • We watched the birds at close quarters.
  • Working at close quarters made privacy difficult.

Similar words

face to face
up close
at close range

Meanings

Very near in space

proximity
neutral
Close enough to see details, share limited space, or meet another person directly.

Examples

  • We watched the birds at close quarters.
  • The soldiers fought at close quarters in the narrow street.
  • She had never seen a whale at close quarters.
  • Working at close quarters made privacy difficult.
  • The camera shows the craft at close quarters.

Similar words

Etymology

Close means near and quarters can mean a place occupied by people. Together the phrase pictures little space between them.

FAQ

What does at close quarters mean?

At close quarters means at a very short distance.

When is at close quarters used?

It can describe seeing wildlife, working in limited space, or direct fighting.

How does at close quarters differ from nearby?

Nearby simply says close, while at close quarters stresses direct, often intense proximity.

How is at close quarters used in a sentence?

We watched the birds at close quarters.

Is at close quarters formal?

It is a normal current expression, especially in descriptive writing.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...