close quarters
Americannoun
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a small, cramped place or position.
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direct and close contact in a fight.
They met at close quarters, exchanging many quick jabs.
plural noun
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a narrow cramped space or position
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engaged in hand-to-hand combat
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in close proximity; very near together
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Etymology
Origin of close quarters
First recorded in 1745–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Meningitis B bacteria spread through close contact - for example through kissing, sharing vapes and drinks or living in close quarters with a person with the bug.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
By being in close quarters together, a greater sense of collaboration has enveloped The Ringer’s team.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 16, 2026
They may have then spread Andes virus to others through breathing shared air or other close contact in close quarters.
From Salon ● May 9, 2026
Infections are a risk on cruises given the close quarters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
“Yes,” I replied, “I’ll tell you all about it. He doesn’t think it’s wrong, but he says that here, where we’re in such close quarters, it could lead to conflicts.”
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
