Idioms are fun phrases that mean something different from the literal words inside them. People use these clever expressions to make their everyday speaking and writing much more colorful and exciting. In this article, you will learn sixty helpful idioms about being close or near to something.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms for near that mean being nearby and close by. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Near
1. Close at hand
Meaning: Located very near to you in distance or easy to reach.
For Example: Always keep your pencil case close at hand during math class. / We love having the neighborhood park close at hand for weekend games.
Other Ways to Say: Nearby / Within reach
2. At your fingertips
Meaning: Easily available and close for you to use right away.
For Example: With the new library computer, all the information is right at your fingertips. / She kept her colored markers at her fingertips for the art project.
Other Ways to Say: Ready to use / Easily accessible
3. Within arm’s reach
Meaning: Close enough to touch with your hand without moving far.
For Example: He kept his water bottle within arm’s reach during soccer practice. / Make sure your history book is within arm’s reach before starting homework.
Other Ways to Say: Very close / Right beside you
4. A stone’s throw
Meaning: A very short distance away from where you currently are.
For Example: Our school is just a stone’s throw away from our house. / The grocery store is a short stone’s throw down the quiet street.
Other Ways to Say: Very near / Short distance
5. In the neighborhood of
Meaning: An amount or distance that is very close to an estimated number.
For Example: The cost of the new skateboard was in the neighborhood of fifty dollars. / There were in the neighborhood of thirty students in the library.
Other Ways to Say: Roughly around / Close to
6. Just around the corner
Meaning: Happening very soon or located very near down the street.
For Example: Summer vacation is just around the corner, so keep working hard. / The neighborhood ice cream shop is just around the corner.
Other Ways to Say: Coming soon / Nearby
7. Close quarters
Meaning: A small space where people are crowded very near to each other.
For Example: We had to share close quarters in the tiny camping tent. / The four kids lived in close quarters during the rainy weekend.
Other Ways to Say: Cramped space / Tight quarters
8. Side by side
Meaning: Standing or placed right next to each other in a close line.
For Example: The two best friends walked side by side down the school hallway. / We planted the tomato flowers side by side in the garden.
Other Ways to Say: Right next to / Adjacent
9. Shoulder to shoulder
Meaning: Working closely together near each other to achieve a common goal.
For Example: The soccer team stood shoulder to shoulder during the national anthem. / We worked shoulder to shoulder to clean up the art room.
Other Ways to Say: Cooperating closely / Hand in hand
10. Hand in hand
Meaning: Holding hands closely while walking or working together as partners.
For Example: The little children walked hand in hand to the playground slide. / Success and hard work often go hand in hand at school.
Other Ways to Say: Closely linked / Together
11. Right under your nose
Meaning: Located very close to you, but surprisingly hard to notice right away.
For Example: I searched everywhere for my glasses when they were right under my nose. / The missing toy was hidden right under my nose in the toy box.
Other Ways to Say: In plain sight / Very close
12. In close touch
Meaning: Maintaining a close relationship and communicating frequently with someone.
For Example: Even after moving away, we stayed in close touch through letters. / The teacher kept in close touch with parents about homework.
Other Ways to Say: Connected / Regularly talking
13. Next door
Meaning: Living in the house or building immediately adjacent to yours.
For Example: My best friend lives right next door to me on our street. / The friendly family next door brought us fresh cookies on Sunday.
Other Ways to Say: Adjacent / Adjoining
14. Face to face
Meaning: Being close together in the same room to talk directly.
For Example: It is better to talk face to face than send text messages. / We finally met face to face after chatting online for weeks.
Other Ways to Say: Directly / In person
15. Back to back
Meaning: Standing or sitting with your backs touching closely together.
For Example: The two players sat back to back on the floor during gym game. / We built our toy towers back to back on the carpet.
Other Ways to Say: Rear touching / Opposing direction
16. Toe to toe
Meaning: Standing very close and directly facing someone in a contest or talk.
For Example: The two spelling champions stood toe to toe for the final round. / He went toe to toe with his older brother in a video game match.
Other Ways to Say: Directly opposed / Facing closely
17. Eye to eye
Meaning: Being in complete agreement and close understanding with someone.
For Example: My mom and I did not see eye to eye on my bedtime rules. / The classmates finally saw eye to eye on the group project theme.
Other Ways to Say: Agree completely / Share views
18. At close quarters
Meaning: Operating or living in a very small, tightly confined space.
For Example: The sailors lived at close quarters on the small wooden boat. / Working at close quarters in the art studio requires patience.
Other Ways to Say: Cramped space / Tight area
19. Close call
Meaning: A situation where danger or trouble was narrowly avoided by a small margin.
For Example: Tripping on the rug was a close call, but I did not fall down. / Missing the late bus by one second was a very close call.
Other Ways to Say: Narrow escape / Near miss
20. Near and dear
Meaning: Something or someone that is very special and close to your heart.
For Example: My grandmother’s handmade quilt is a treasure near and dear to me. / Helping animals is a cause near and dear to her heart.
Other Ways to Say: Very special / Deeply cherished
21. Far and near
Meaning: From all sorts of different locations, both distant and close by.
For Example: People traveled from far and near to see the wonderful school play. / Relatives came from far and near for our family reunion.
Other Ways to Say: Everywhere / From all places
22. In the vicinity
Meaning: In the surrounding area or close neighborhood near a place.
For Example: Is there a public library in the vicinity of our school? / We searched the park and every street in the vicinity for the lost dog.
Other Ways to Say: Nearby area / Close by
23. Close shave
Meaning: Escaping a difficult or dangerous situation by a very narrow margin.
For Example: Dropping my glass cup and catching it before it broke was a close shave. / That test was a close shave, but I passed it.
Other Ways to Say: Narrow escape / Close call
24. Within shouting distance
Meaning: Close enough physically that someone can hear you when you call out.
For Example: My brother was playing soccer within shouting distance of the porch. / Stay within shouting distance so I can call you for dinner.
Other Ways to Say: Nearby / Close enough to hear
25. Within earshot
Meaning: Close enough to hear sounds or conversations spoken normally.
For Example: Be careful what you say because little ears are within earshot. / We sat within earshot of the music speakers at the party.
Other Ways to Say: Close enough to hear / Within hearing
26. In spitting distance
Meaning: Extremely close in distance to something or someone.
For Example: We were in spitting distance of the finish line when it started to rain. / The ice cream truck was in spitting distance down our street.
Other Ways to Say: Very close / Right nearby
27. On the doorstep
Meaning: Arriving very soon or located right outside your entrance.
For Example: Autumn is on the doorstep, so get your sweaters ready. / The package delivery was sitting right on our doorstep.
Other Ways to Say: Very soon / Right outside
28. Breathing down your neck
Meaning: Standing very close behind someone and watching them too closely.
For Example: I hate when my little brother is breathing down my neck while I draw. / The teacher stood breathing down my neck while I finished the math quiz.
Other Ways to Say: Watching closely / Pressuring
29. Right around the bend
Meaning: Located just a short distance away around a curve in the road.
For Example: The playground is right around the bend past the tall oak tree. / Keep walking because our cabin is right around the bend.
Other Ways to Say: Just ahead / Nearby curve
30. Hard by
Meaning: Located very close to a specific landmark or building.
For Example: The old farmhouse stood hard by the rushing river. / We found a lovely picnic table hard by the park entrance.
Other Ways to Say: Close beside / Right next to
31. Close down
Meaning: To bring a nearby business or activity to a final halt.
For Example: The old grocery store had to close down after many years. / They decided to close down the playground equipment for painting.
Other Ways to Say: Shut down / Stop operating
32. Next in line
Meaning: Standing closest to the front, ready to take your turn next.
For Example: I was next in line to get a slice of birthday cake. / Please wait until you are next in line for the water fountain.
Other Ways to Say: Following next / Up next
33. On the heels of
Meaning: Following very closely behind someone or an event in time.
For Example: Spring arrived right on the heels of the cold winter snow. / The second runner was right on the heels of the leader.
Other Ways to Say: Following closely / Right behind
34. In close alignment
Meaning: Positioned or working very closely together with matching ideas.
For Example: Our class rules were in close alignment with the school code. / The two art projects were in close alignment regarding color.
Other Ways to Say: Well matched / Closely fitting
35. Close knit
Meaning: A group of people who are very close, supportive, and friendly.
For Example: Our neighborhood is a very close knit community where everyone helps. / The swim team is a close knit group of supportive friends.
Other Ways to Say: Closely bonded / Tight family
36. At your elbow
Meaning: Standing right beside you, very close and ready to help.
For Example: The helpful librarian was always at your elbow with book suggestions. / My puppy stayed right at my elbow while I ate lunch.
Other Ways to Say: Right beside you / Close by
37. Close book
Meaning: A subject or relationship that is finished and brought to a close.
For Example: That old argument is a close book we never talk about anymore. / Once the test was graded, that history chapter was a close book.
Other Ways to Say: Finished matter / Ended topic
38. Hand to mouth
Meaning: Living very closely matching your daily needs with nothing extra.
For Example: The stray cat lived hand to mouth until we adopted it. / Early settlers often had to live hand to mouth during winter.
Other Ways to Say: Barely surviving / Living day to day
39. Close proximity
Meaning: The state of being very close together in space or time.
For Example: Living in close proximity to the school lets us walk every day. / The two houses were built in close proximity to each other.
Other Ways to Say: Nearness / Close distance
40. Close of day
Meaning: The time near evening when the sun sets and work finishes.
For Example: We packed up our art supplies at the close of day. / The park ranger locked the gates at the close of day.
Other Ways to Say: End of day / Evening time
41. Close guard
Meaning: Staying very near to someone to watch or protect them carefully.
For Example: The mother bird kept a close guard over her tiny eggs. / The security dog kept a close guard near the gate.
Other Ways to Say: Watch closely / Guard carefully
42. Close match
Meaning: A game or competition where both sides are very near in score.
For Example: The basketball game was a very close match until the last second. / Spelling bee finals turned into a close match between two students.
Other Ways to Say: Tight game / Even contest
43. Close eye
Meaning: Keeping a watchful gaze very near to something important.
For Example: Mom kept a close eye on the baking cookies in the oven. / Please keep a close eye on your backpack during the field trip.
Other Ways to Say: Watch carefully / Monitor closely
44. Right on top of
Meaning: Located immediately close to or stacked near something else.
For Example: He piled his heavy books right on top of his notebook. / The two houses were built right on top of each other.
Other Ways to Say: Directly upon / Crowded near
45. In close formation
Meaning: Moving together in a tight, near group without spreading out.
For Example: The marching band walked in close formation across the field. / The flock of birds flew in close formation through the sky.
Other Ways to Say: Tight group / Close order
46. Close to home
Meaning: An event or topic that affects you personally and feels very near.
For Example: The story about helping stray animals hit close to home for me. / The discussion on school recycling felt very close to home.
Other Ways to Say: Personal / Affecting you directly
47. Close race
Meaning: A competition where all runners finish very near each other in time.
For Example: The track event ended in a remarkably close race for first place. / Swimming finals turned out to be a close race between friends.
Other Ways to Say: Tight contest / Close finish
48. Close reader
Meaning: Someone who reads text very carefully, paying close attention near details.
For Example: Being a close reader helps you find hidden clues in mystery books. / The teacher praised her for being such a close reader.
Other Ways to Say: Careful reader / Attentive student
49. Close attention
Meaning: Focusing your mind very near to what is happening right now.
For Example: Please pay close attention while the science experiment is explained. / He paid close attention to the art instructions on the board.
Other Ways to Say: Careful focus / Close watch
50. Near miss
Meaning: An incident where a crash or accident was avoided by a very small distance.
For Example: The two toy cars had a near miss on the playroom rug. / Slipping on the ice was a scary near miss.
Other Ways to Say: Close call / Narrow escape
51. Near at hand
Meaning: Close by in position or happening very soon in time.
For Example: Keep your dictionary near at hand while writing your story. / Weekend vacation is finally near at hand.
Other Ways to Say: Nearby / Soon to happen
52. Near future
Meaning: A time period that is coming up very soon from right now.
For Example: We plan to visit the science museum in the near future. / Hope you can join our club in the near future.
Other Ways to Say: Soon / Coming days
53. Near relation
Meaning: A family member who is closely connected to you by blood.
For Example: My cousin is a near relation who lives in our same town. / We invited all our near relations to the holiday dinner.
Other Ways to Say: Close kin / Family member
54. Near miss event
Meaning: A sudden close encounter where danger was narrowly averted.
For Example: The bicycle slip was a near miss event that taught him caution. / We talked about road safety after seeing a near miss event.
Other Ways to Say: Close call / Narrow brush
55. Close bound
Meaning: Tied or connected together securely in a close relationship.
For Example: The puppy and kitten formed a close bound of friendship. / Our family has a close bound built on love and trust.
Other Ways to Say: Strong tie / Close connection
56. Close ties
Meaning: Having strong and near relationships with friends or groups.
For Example: Our school has close ties with the local community library. / They maintain close ties with their old neighbors.
Other Ways to Say: Strong connections / Close links
57. Close grip
Meaning: Holding onto something tightly and near with your hands.
For Example: Maintain a close grip on the monkey bars while climbing. / He had a close grip on his puppy’s leash.
Other Ways to Say: Tight hold / Firm grasp
58. Close check
Meaning: Examining something very near and thoroughly for mistakes.
For Example: The teacher gave my math homework a close check for errors. / We did a close check of our camping gear before leaving.
Other Ways to Say: Careful review / Thorough inspection
59. Close range
Meaning: A very short distance away from a target or object.
For Example: We took a photo of the butterfly at close range in the garden. / The basketball shot was made from close range.
Other Ways to Say: Short distance / Nearby point
60. Close match up
Meaning: A competition where two balanced opponents stay near in score.
For Example: The chess club tournament proved to be a close match up. / Friday night soccer was an exciting close match up.
Other Ways to Say: Tight competition / Even game
Exercise to Practice
- Always keep your pencil case ________ during math class.
- Our school is just a ________ away from our house.
- Summer vacation is ________, so keep working hard.
- The two best friends walked ________ down the school hallway.
- I searched everywhere for my glasses when they were ________.
- My best friend lives ________ to me on our street.
- It is better to talk ________ than send text messages.
- My grandmother’s handmade quilt is a treasure ________ to me.
- Is there a public library in the ________ of our school?
- Autumn is ________, so get your sweaters ready.
- Be careful what you say because little ears are ________.
- We planned to visit the science museum in the ________.
- Please keep a ________ on your backpack during the field trip.
- Maintain a ________ on the monkey bars while climbing.
- We took a photo of the butterfly at ________ in the garden.
Answer Key
- close at hand
- stone’s throw
- just around the corner
- side by side
- right under your nose
- right next door
- face to face
- near and dear
- vicinity
- on the doorstep
- within earshot
- near future
- close eye
- close grip
- close range
Conclusion
Learning idioms about being near is a fantastic way to make your everyday conversations much more descriptive and fun. When you talk about something being a stone’s throw away or right at your fingertips, you paint a vivid picture for your listeners.
Try using a few of these fun expressions the next time you talk about distances or places with your friends. You will sound like a true language expert and bring your stories to life!
