at/in close quarters
idiom
1
: close together usually in a very small space
The sailors were living in close quarters.
2
: being in close contact
We could observe the behavior of all the animals at close quarters.
Examples of at/in close quarters in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shotguns feel particularly disappointing, rarely doing meaningful damage at close quarters to base-level enemies.
—
Matt Gardner, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023
Fascination with Ward’s physical features led one fan to observe that his circle of chin whiskers could be seen only at close quarters.
—R.j.m. Blackett, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Mar. 2023
Philip’s master plan rested on the belief that his ships must avoid an artillery duel with the enemy and instead discharge their heavy guns at close quarters before grappling and boarding—a scenario in which, the authors suggest, the Armada’s seasoned shock troops would surely prevail.
—Stephen Brumwell, WSJ, 27 Jan. 2023
Like Stalingrad, the Battle of Berlin was an infantry action fought at close quarters; artillery demolished defensive strongpoints in a city already devastated by heavy bombing.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 29 Dec. 2022
Relations with parents-in-law, especially at close quarters and over extended periods, can be tricky to negotiate.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2022
The driver of a Nissan hatchback reported at 9:28 Oct. 5 that he was being pursued westbound on Miles at close quarters by a dark-colored Kia SUV, where in addition to tailgating, the other driver kept flashing headlights and crossing over lane markers.
—Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 13 Oct. 2022
Paradoxically, the futuristic technology of Dune means that characters have to fight at close quarters with old-fashioned blades; the protective energy shields everyone wears block fast-moving weapons like bullets or lasers.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 22 Oct. 2021
Loeb also hopes to design—in collaboration with space agencies or companies--a launch-ready space mission to study an incomer at close quarters.
—Daniel Clery, Science | AAAS, 26 July 2021
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Matt Gardner, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023
Fascination with Ward’s physical features led one fan to observe that his circle of chin whiskers could be seen only at close quarters.
—R.j.m. Blackett, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Mar. 2023
Philip’s master plan rested on the belief that his ships must avoid an artillery duel with the enemy and instead discharge their heavy guns at close quarters before grappling and boarding—a scenario in which, the authors suggest, the Armada’s seasoned shock troops would surely prevail.
—Stephen Brumwell, WSJ, 27 Jan. 2023
Like Stalingrad, the Battle of Berlin was an infantry action fought at close quarters; artillery demolished defensive strongpoints in a city already devastated by heavy bombing.
—Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 29 Dec. 2022
Relations with parents-in-law, especially at close quarters and over extended periods, can be tricky to negotiate.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2022
The driver of a Nissan hatchback reported at 9:28 Oct. 5 that he was being pursued westbound on Miles at close quarters by a dark-colored Kia SUV, where in addition to tailgating, the other driver kept flashing headlights and crossing over lane markers.
—Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 13 Oct. 2022
Paradoxically, the futuristic technology of Dune means that characters have to fight at close quarters with old-fashioned blades; the protective energy shields everyone wears block fast-moving weapons like bullets or lasers.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 22 Oct. 2021
Loeb also hopes to design—in collaboration with space agencies or companies--a launch-ready space mission to study an incomer at close quarters.
—Daniel Clery, Science | AAAS, 26 July 2021
Cite this Entry
“At/in close quarters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%2Fin%20close%20quarters. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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