shut
verb
Definitions of shut verb
close
- A2TransitiveIntransitive
to close something, or to cause something to close
Could you please shut the main door?
I have a surprise for you! Close your eyes tightly and extend your hand.
She shut the book and placed it on the table.
operation
- A2TransitiveIntransitive
to cease operation or service, either temporarily or permanently
The store shuts at 8 PM every Wednesday evening.
It's a pity that they shut down that factory.
Many businesses were forced to shut during the pandemic outbreak.
adjective
Definitions of shut adjective
- B1After verb
in a closed position
I found it strange that her curtains were still shut during lunchtime.
The government should have opened the door to Japanese investment, not shut it.
I tried to open the door, but it was shut.
Idioms
- shut up shop
To cease an activity, typically a business operation, either temporarily or permanently.
• Many companies are considering shutting up shop in this country and moving production to lower-wage countries.
- shut your eyes to something
To deliberately ignore something that one should be paying attention to.
• The government has been shutting its eyes to the pollution problem at this factory.
- shut your mouth/face
A rude and angry way to tell someone to stop talking.
• I told him to shut his mouth directly when he started criticizing my work.
Phrasal Verbs of shut
- shut something out
to refrain from thinking about something distressing or to block out feelings of hurt.
• She tried to shut out her past failures and instead chose to block those painful memories.
- shut yourself off
to cease communicating with others or disengage from involvement with them
• When under heavy work pressure, he often shuts himself off to avoid contacting friends.
- shut something away
to place an item in a location where it is neither visible nor accessible to others.
• She shut away the important documents in the drawer, keeping them safely hidden.
- shut (something) down
When a business or major equipment ceases operation, or when someone causes it to cease, it is referred to as shutting down.
• The company was forced to shut down during the financial crisis.
- shut yourself away
to retreat to a location where you deliberately avoid leaving and seek solitude, free from outside interruptions
• In the hustle and bustle of the city, she often shuts herself away at home to find some peace.
- shut something in something
to enclose a part of your body or an object inside a device or container as it closes
• He accidentally shut his hand in the door.
- shut something off
to discontinue the provision of something
• In concern over dwindling water supplies, the city decided to shut off the water provision.
- shut someone/something out
to prevent a person or object from entering or re-entering a structure or premises
• Due to the severe weather, the students had to shut all the windows to keep the cold wind out.
- shut (something) off
When a machine or system ceases to function, or when someone or something terminates its operation.
• During a power outage, we need to shut off all the equipment to prevent damage.
- shut someone/something in (something)
to stop someone or something from exiting a location by closing or securing a door or gate
• When I left the room, I accidentally shut my cat in.
- shut someone away
to confine a person in a location where they cannot or are not permitted to leave
• Her parents shut her away for her safety.
- shut (someone) up
to cease speaking or making noise, or to cause someone to do so
• During the meeting, he was asked to shut up because he kept interrupting.
- shut someone out
to hinder an opponent in a sporting event from scoring any points
• In the match, the team successfully shut the opponent out, winning with a score of 3 to 0.
- shut someone/something up
to confine a person or animal in an enclosed space
• They shut the puppy up in its cage to keep it quiet.
- shut (something) up
to close a store or establishment temporarily, typically at the end of the business day
• The store shuts up at eight o'clock in the evening.