Ford’s simile used to describe a home business that’s not open, is a takeoff on the American colloquialism generally linked with stinginess.
See Also: THRIFT
If you close /kləʊz/ something such as a door, you move it so that it covers or fills a hole or gap.
You can also say that you shut something such as a door. There is no difference in meaning. The past tense and -ed participle of shut is shut.
Both closed and shut can be adjectives used after a linking verb.
You can use either close or shut to say that work or business stops for a short time in a shop or public building.
Only closed can be used in front of a noun. You can talk about a closed window, but not a 'shut' window.
You can say that a road, border, or airport is closed.
Don't say that a road, border, or airport 'is shut'.
Be Careful!
Don't confuse the verb close with the adjective close /kləʊs/. If something is close to something else, it is near to it.
Imperative |
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shut |
shut |
Verb | 1. | shut - move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut; "Close the door"; "shut the window" snap - close with a snapping motion; "The lock snapped shut" slat - close the slats of (windows) shutter - close with shutters; "We shuttered the window to keep the house cool" draw - move or pull so as to cover or uncover something; "draw the shades"; "draw the curtains" roll up - close (a car window) by causing it to move up, as with a handle; "she rolled up the window when it started to rain" bung - close with a cork or stopper |
2. | shut - become closed; "The windows closed with a loud bang" change state, turn - undergo a transformation or a change of position or action; "We turned from Socialism to Capitalism"; "The people turned against the President when he stole the election" | |
3. | shut - prevent from entering; shut out; "The trees were shutting out all sunlight"; "This policy excludes people who have a criminal record from entering the country" excommunicate, unchurch, curse - exclude from a church or a religious community; "The gay priest was excommunicated when he married his partner" lock out - prevent employees from working during a strike | |
Adj. | 1. | ![]() closed - not open or affording passage or access; "the many closed streets made travel difficult"; "our neighbors peeped from behind closed curtains" open, unfastened - affording unobstructed entrance and exit; not shut or closed; "an open door"; "they left the door open" |
2. | shut - used especially of mouth or eyes; "he sat quietly with closed eyes"; "his eyes were shut against the sunlight" |