“Close” vs. “Turn Off”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “close” and “turn off”

  • "Close" refers to ending an ongoing activity or bringing something to an end, while "turn off" refers to stopping the operation of a machine or device.
  • "Close" usually involves physical action, such as shutting doors or windows, while "turn off" involves stopping the flow of a resource such as electricity or water.
  • "Close" can be used figuratively to mean completing a task or finishing a speech, while "turn off" refers to stopping or ending a process or activity.
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What is the definition of “close” and “turn off”?

Close
  • To bring or come to an end.
  • To shut firmly and put in place (doors, windows, etc.).
  • To bring (something) to an end or conclusion.
Turn off
  • To stop the operation or activity of (a machine, device, etc.) by breaking the circuit, cutting off the supply of fuel, or stopping the flow of water.
  • Typically used with electronics like televisions, air conditioners, and computers.
  • To halt a procedure temporarily or permanently.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Close” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Close
7,150,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I like to close my curtains before going to bed.
  2. Let's bring the meeting to a close before this gets repetitive.
  3. The restaurant is going to close in 10 minutes, so we need to hurry and finish our food.
Turn off
271,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Don't forget to turn off the lights when you leave the room.
  2. I need to turn off my phone during my meetings to avoid distractions.
  3. Could you please turn off the TV? It's way too loud.
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