close-hauled

[ klohs-hawld ]

/ ˈkloʊsˈhɔld /

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adjective, adverb Nautical.

as close to the wind as a vessel will sail, with sails as flat as possible; full and by.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of close-hauled

First recorded in 1760–70

Words nearby close-hauled

closed universe, closefisted, close-fitting, close-grained, close harmony, close-hauled, close helmet, close-in, close juncture, close-knit, close-lipped

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use close-hauled in a sentence

Hopefully not overly close, but we talk about it in the episode how similar it is.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The two strengthened ties over the years and now Krauss considers Epstein a “close” and “considerate” friend.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Ney said McDonnell needs to “keep a stiff lip” and stay in close contact with family members.
Abramoff’s Advice for Virginia’s New Jailhouse Guv|Tim Mak, Jackie Kucinich|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I got to work on all of it—and Epstein kept close tabs on me.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003|Vicky Ward|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

So in that sense we have gotten close to the families that have lost loved ones, be it from one side or the other.
Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder|Jason McGahan|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Squinty could look out, but the slats were as close together as those in a chicken coop, and the little pig could not get out.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum
On the upper part of the stem the whorls are very close together, but they are more widely separated at the lower portion.
How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin
It was close upon twelve o'clock, and the "Rooms" had been open to the public for two hours.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
In the close relation and affection of these last days, the sense of alienation and antagonism faded from both their hearts.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
He passed the latter part of his life in poverty, and towards the close of it, was confined in a madhouse.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

British Dictionary definitions for close-hauled

close-hauled

/ (ˌkləʊsˈhɔːld) /

adjective

nautical with the sails flat, so as to sail as close to the wind as possible

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012