close to home Definition

close¹
adj

1. Near in space or time; at a short distance.

Thesaurus: nearby, near, proximal, neighbouring, adjoining.
2a. Near in relationship;

Example: a close relation
2b. Intimate.

Thesaurus: intimate, familiar, cherished, loving, confidential, related.
3. Touching or almost touching.
4. Tight; dense or compact; with little space between.

Example: a close fit
Thesaurus: tight, congested, crowded, packed, jammed.
5. Near to the surface.

Example: a close haircut
6. Thorough; searching.

Example: a close reading
7. Said of a contest, etc: with little difference between entrants, etc.
8. About to happen, on the point of doing it, etc.

Example: close to tears
Form: close to something (often)
9. Similar to the original, or to something else.

Example: a close resemblance
10. Uncomfortably warm; stuffy.

Thesaurus: stifling, stuffy, musty, airless, stagnant, suffocating, stale, oppressive, sultry; Antonym: fresh, brisk, refreshing.
11. Secretive.
12. Mean.

Example: close with money
13. Heavily guarded.

Example: under close arrest
14. old use
Shut; closed; confined.
15. Said of an organization, etc: restricted in membership.

adverb

1. In a close manner; closely.

Example: close-fitting
Example: follow close behind
2. At close range.

Derivative: closely

In a close way;

With close attention.
Example: shall watch them closely

Derivative: closeness
noun

Idiom: at close quarters

At close range; near to someone or something.

Said of fighting: hand-to-hand, one individual fighting another.

Idiom: close at hand (close to hand)

Near by; easily available.

Idiom: close on (close to)

Nearly; almost.
Example: close on a thousand

Idiom: close to one's chest

Without revealing one's intentions; secretive.

Idiom: close to home

Uncomfortably close to the truth, or to a sensitive matter.

Etymology: 14c: from French clos closed, from Latin claudere, clausum to close.