close

close the door on (one)

To exclude one from something in a total or peremptory manner. A lot of banks closed the doors on me when I applied for a loan because of my criminal record. The government's new regulations close the door on thousands of citizens seeking financial aid.
See also: close, door, on

close the door on (something)

1. Literally, to shut a door on something else, usually accidentally. Whoa, hang on, my dress is caught on something. I think I closed the door on it. I accidentally closed the door on my finger. I think it might be broken!
2. To hinder something; to make something impossible. If they find out that you lied on your résumé, it will definitely close the door on this job opportunity for you. The new president has already indicated that she will be closing the door on any further efforts to unite the two countries.
3. To conclude something. While graduation closes the door on the high school experience for most seniors, there are always an unlucky few who have to stay behind an extra year. I'm just glad to close the door on this whole unfortunate affair.
See also: close, door, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

close

/shut the door on
To refuse to allow for the possibility of: The secretary of state closed the door on future negotiations.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See:
  • (as) close as two coats of paint
  • a close call
  • a close chewer and a tight spitter
  • a close shave
  • a close shave/call
  • a close thing
  • a close/near thing
  • a close-run thing
  • a near thing
  • and it's not even close
  • as one door closes, another (one) opens
  • as one door closes, another one opens
  • as one door closes, another opens
  • at close quarters
  • at close range
  • at hand
  • be close to (one's) heart
  • be close to home
  • be close to the bone
  • be close to the mark
  • be close to/near the mark
  • be close/dear/near to somebody's heart
  • be cutting it fine
  • be near to (one's) heart
  • bring (something) to a close
  • bring to a close
  • close
  • close (in) around (someone or something)
  • close (one) out of (something)
  • close (one's) ears to (someone or something)
  • close (one's) eyes and think of England
  • close (one's) eyes to (something)
  • close (one's) mind (to) (something)
  • close a deal
  • close a sale
  • close a/the deal
  • close a/the sale
  • close around
  • close as a clam
  • close as the bark to the tree
  • close as two coats of paint
  • close at hand
  • close but no cigar
  • close but no cigar, (it was)
  • close by
  • close call
  • close call/shave, a
  • close chewer and a tight spitter
  • close combat sock
  • close down
  • close down and shut down
  • close enough for government work
  • close enough to use the same toothpick
  • close eyes to
  • close in
  • close in for the kill
  • close in on (someone or something)
  • close its doors
  • close of play
  • close off
  • close on
  • close one's eyes to
  • Close only counts in horseshoes
  • close only counts in horseshoes (and hand grenades)
  • close out
  • close out of
  • close quarters, at/in
  • close ranks
  • close shave
  • close the barn door after the horse has bolted
  • close the book on
  • close the book on something
  • close the book(s) on (someone or something)
  • close the books
  • close the books on
  • close the door on
  • close the door on (one)
  • close the door on (something)
  • close the door to (one)
  • close the door to (something)
  • close the sale
  • close the stable door after the horse has bolted
  • close to
  • close to (one's) heart
  • close to (someone or something)
  • close to hand
  • close to home
  • close to the bone
  • close to the mark
  • close to the wind
  • close to your heart
  • close to/near the bone
  • close up
  • close up shop
  • close with
  • close with (someone or something)
  • close your eyes to
  • close your mind
  • close your mind to
  • close, but no cigar
  • closed door
  • closefisted
  • closefisted (with money)
  • come close
  • come close to blows
  • come to a close
  • cut it close
  • draw to a close
  • have a close call
  • have a close shave
  • have an/(one's) ear close to the ground
  • heels of, at/on the
  • hit (one) close to home
  • hit one where one lives
  • hold (one's) cards close to (one's) chest
  • hold (something) close to (one's)/the vest
  • keep (a) close watch on (someone or something)
  • keep (close) watch
  • keep (close) watch for (someone or something)
  • keep (close) watch over (someone or something)
  • keep (one's) cards close to (one's) chest
  • keep (one's) cards close to (one's) vest
  • keep (something) close to (one's) chest
  • keep a (close) watch
  • keep a close eye on (someone or something)
  • keep a close eye/watch on somebody/something
  • keep a close rein on (someone or something)
  • keep a close watch on
  • keep a close watch over (someone or something)
  • keep a tight rein on
  • keep an/(one's) ear close to the ground
  • keep close tabs on (someone or something)
  • keep watch
  • keep your cards close to your chest
  • keep your friends close and your enemies closer
  • keep/hold/play your cards close to your chest
  • near to (one's) heart
  • near to one's heart
  • play (one's) cards close to (one's) chest
  • play (one's) cards close to (one's) vest
  • play (something) close to (one's) chest
  • play (something) close to (one's)/the vest
  • play cards close to chest
  • play it close to one's chest
  • play one's cards close to one's chest, to
  • play your cards close to your chest
  • run (someone or something) close
  • run somebody/something close
  • run someone close
  • sail close to (near) the wind, to
  • sail close to the wind
  • shut (one's) ears to (someone or something)
  • shut (one's) eyes to (something)
  • shut down
  • shut the door on
  • shut the door on (something)
  • shut up shop
  • shut/close the door on something
  • shut/close your ears to somebody/something
  • shut/close your eyes to something
  • shut/lock/close the stable door after the horse has bolted
  • so close (and) yet so far
  • too (something) for comfort
  • too close for comfort
  • too close to call
  • too close/high, etc. for comfort
  • too for comfort
  • under scrutiny
  • up close and personal
  • when one door closes, another (one/door) opens
  • within hailing distance
References in classic literature
Tarzan secured the rope to a stout limb and descended to a point close to Taug.
She dropped to the ground and lumbered across the little clearing about which the apes of the tribe were disposed in rest or in the search of food, and presently Tarzan abandoned his attempts to persuade her to permit a close examination of the balu.
Jungle Tales of Tarzan
She came close and waited, with her face to the iron door.
Lair of the White Worm
Again he drew her close to him and covered her willing lips with his hot kisses.
Kovudoo, realizing the danger of coming to close quarters with these mighty ape-men, seized Meriem and called upon his warriors to retreat.
Son Of Tarzan
Vas Kor turned to his lieutenant, giving instruction for the bringing of the Kalksus to Dusar, and the gathering up of the recruits; then he signed to two warriors who stood close behind the padwar.
Carthoris walked close to the left side of the latter.
Thuvia Maid of Mars
But as the Thurian came Raja loosened his hold upon the lidi and dashed for him, with the female close after.
Raja stood over her, growling, his jaws close to her throat.
Pellucidar
It couldn't be called light, as there were bars and a grating to the window; which little precautions were necessary in the studies on the ground-floor looking out into the close, to prevent the exit of small boys after locking up, and the entrance of contraband articles.
Tom Browns Schooldays
Dejah Thoris stood as close to it as she could, whispering words of hope and courage to me, and urging me to save myself.
The Gods of Mars
The sound of the party in the corridor came distinctly to their ears--they must be quite close, and doubtless they were coming in force.
The Chessmen of Mars
If he came too close to a she with a young baby, the former would bare her great fighting fangs and growl ominously, and occasionally a truculent young bull would snarl a warning if Tarzan approached while the former was eating.
The Beasts of Tarzan
The chest he hid in the underbrush close by his boat, and with the girl ascended the notched log that led to the verandah of the structure, which, stretching away for three hundred yards upon its tall piles, resembled a huge centipede.
The Monster Men
There was ample time to note these particulars, for besides that they were sufficiently obvious without very close observation, some moments elapsed before any one broke silence.
The Old Curiosity Shop