close off

Related to close off: persists

close off

1. To prevent access to a particular area or thing. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "close" and "off." We had to close off that section of the restaurant for a private party. I had to take a detour on my way home because the water department closed a bunch of streets off.
2. To avoid emotional connection with others; to isolate. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun can be used between "close" and "off." Todd really closed himself off after his last break-up. I have a hard time making friends because I usually close myself off from other people.
3. To refuse to listen to viewpoints, ideas, or opinions that differ from one's own. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun can be used between "close" and "off." Grandpa, you can't just close yourself off to the ways of the modern world. Can you please listen to what I think, instead of automatically closing yourself off?
See also: close, off
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

close something off

to prevent entrance into something; to block something off. Please don't close this passageway off. They closed off the passageway anyway.
See also: close, off
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

close off

v.
To prevent passage along or through something: The police closed off the main avenue for a parade. Park rangers closed the lake off to motorboats.
See also: close, off
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • close out
  • chest
  • up close and personal
  • too close for comfort
  • too close to call
  • close to (one's) heart
  • close to your heart
  • be close to the mark
  • be close to/near the mark
  • come to a close
References in periodicals archive
"So each day we prolong the amount of time we close off the Corniche road, to pressure the government, without completely paralyzing the city," he added.
Tahrir sit-in continues despite power cut, theft
Parviz Sarvari, a member of the Iranian parliament's National Security Committee, said his country was preparing to close off the crucial Strait of Hormuz as part of a military exercise, The Daily Mail reports.
'Threatened' Iran threatens to make 'world insecure' by shutting crucial Strait of Hormuz
Locals claimed this was one more step in a bid to close off the entire 400-acre property to all but fee-paying tourists.
Heroine's home in walk row
In Mario Sala's images, the window, painting's old paradigm, opens onto doors, which close off passages to illusionary space at the same time as they evoke it.
Mario Sala: Galerie Erika and Otto Friedrich
This decision changed everything because it was necessary for the family to completely close off their past lives and enter a witness protection program with new identities.
Woodson, Jacqueline. Hush
Researchers see these as warning signs of stroke because the artery can close off or plaque can rupture and form clots that lodge in the brain.
Carotid surgery stands test of time
I will predict that after the Olympics next year, this Labour council will see how their decision to close off the centre to buses will start to be felt when businesses start to feel the repercussion from this closed off city centre.
New Broadgate will hit city centre trade; letters@coventrytelegraph.net Letters letters@coventrytelegraph.net
POLICE had to close off roads in the city centre after a building which was being demolished started to lean into the street below.
Roads closed as building starts to fall
Police close off the promenade in West Kirby, after reports that a body had been found Picture: PAUL HEAPS
Mystery of woman found dead in Wirral lake
22, engineers from Kazakhstan and the United States set off a small nonnuclear blast to close off tunnels at the test site.
Earth Science
Still, the main effect of Maud Lavin's essay may be to close off the market from any book on the same material for a long time.
Cut with the Kitchen Knife - The Weimar Photomontages of Hannah Hoch
How can the police just close off two of the busiest roads in the city because someone thought they heard gunfire?
Anger as 'gun' cops close roads
"We had to close off drain covers to stop the fuel getting into the water courses and call out the city council gritter to make the carriageway safe."
Diesel spill turns A45 into 'skating rink'
The MDHC, and their rich backers among the ferry companies, should not be allowed to arbitrarily close off to the public a walkway which has been enjoyed by many generations of residents.
Letter: Quays battle
But actually, the tiny passages connecting these internal cavities to the nose close off early ir the initial infection, he and his colleagues report in the Jan.
Cold secrets only noses know