closed



case closed

1. Said after a given question, debate, or mystery has been solved or answered. So you see, it was the dog who ate the blueberry pie, not me. Case closed!
2. The aforementioned decision, outcome, resolution, or situation is final, with no ambiguity or room for variation or amendment. The only way we'll be able to keep the company open is to undertake a 30% reduction in staff, case closed. My wife had an affair and our marriage is over. Case closed.
See also: case, closed

closed-door

(used as a modifier before a noun) Not open to or in view of the public; private and/or secret. There have been a lot of closed-door meetings recently to discuss the sale of the company.

with (one's) eyes closed

With very little or no difficulty; in a relaxed, carefree, or effortless manner. It took me a little while to get used to this job, but now I could do it with my eyes closed! You should ask Johnny for help—he does this level of math with his eyes closed.
See also: closed, eye

a closed mouth gathers no feet

If you say nothing at all, then you can't say anything embarrassing or inappropriate. A play on the idiom "put (one's) foot in (one's) mouth" (to say something stupid). A: "Oh my god, I can't believe I said that. Why are you being so quiet?" B: "Because a closed mouth gathers no feet!" Knowing that I would inevitably say something ridiculous, I kept my mouth shut—a closed mouth gathers no feet, after all.
See also: closed, feet, gather, mouth

be a closed book

To be difficult to know or understand. She's such a private person that I don't know much about her. I guess she's a closed book. I'm a scientist, so art will always be a closed book to me.
See also: book, closed

able to do something with one's eyes closed

Fig. able to do something very easily, even without having to think about it or look at it. (Always affirmative. Able to can be replaced with can.) It's easy. I can do it with my eyes closed.
See also: able, closed, eye

behind closed doors

in secret; away from observers, reporters, or intruders, usually in a closed room. They held the meeting behind closed doors, as the law allowed. Every important issue was decided behind closed doors.
See also: behind, closed, door

behind closed doors

privately or secretly The serious meetings took place behind closed doors and not during social events. Politicians still decide on candidates behind closed doors.
See also: behind, closed, door

do something with your eyes closed

also do something with your eyes shut
to do something very easily do something with one hand tied behind your back I've filled in this form so many times, I can do it with my eyes closed.
See also: closed, eye

be a closed book

to be something that you know or understand nothing about (usually + to ) I'm afraid physics will always be a closed book to me.
See also: book, closed

behind closed doors

if something is done behind closed doors, it is done in private The United Nations Security Council met behind closed doors in New York.
See also: behind, closed, door

somebody could do something with their eyes closed/shut

if someone could do something with their eyes shut, they can do it very easily, usually because they have done it so many times before I've driven along this route so often, I could do it with my eyes shut.
See also: closed, could, eye

behind closed doors

In secret, privately. For example, The nominating committee always meets behind closed doors, lest its deliberations become known prematurely . Also see behind the scenes.
See also: behind, closed, door

closed book, a

A secret, mystery, or puzzle, as in I can't figure her out; she's a closed book to me. This term alludes to information one can't obtain or comprehend (because the book is closed). [Early 1900s]
See also: closed

closed door

1. An obstacle or restriction, as in There are no closed doors in the new field of gene therapy. [First half of 1900s]
2. close one's doors. See close down. Also see behind closed doors; close the door.
See also: closed, door

with one arm tied behind one's back

Also, with one hand; with one's eyes closed. Very easily, as in I can assemble that chair with one arm tied behind my back, or I could make a better dinner with one hand, or He can do that puzzle with his eyes closed. All these phrases are hyperbolic. Also see do blindfolded.
See also: arm, back, behind, one, tie

with (one's) eyes closed

Unaware of the risks involved.
See also: closed, eye

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
ApphiaAF-ee-ə (English), AP-fee-ə (English)Biblical
Alfie['ælfi]
Saleh-Arabic
Sroel-Yiddish
Margherita-Italian
CennÉTig-Irish