← Back to Fala2Me

close the gap

[/kloʊz ðə ɡæp/]
verb phrase
fechar a lacuna / reduzir a diferença
1. To reduce or eliminate the difference between two things, positions, or levels
The team needs to close the gap in the second half to win the game.
O time precisa fechar a lacuna na segunda metade para ganhar o jogo.
2. To narrow the distance between a pursuer and what is being pursued
The runner is closing the gap on the leader.
O corredor está reduzindo a diferença com o líder.
3. To address and resolve a disparity or inequality
We must close the gap between rich and poor communities.
Devemos fechar a lacuna entre comunidades ricas e pobres.
NYC Slang
catch up / make up ground
Synonyms
narrow the gapbridge the gapreduce the differencecatch up
Antonyms
widen the gapincrease the gapfall behind

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
fechar a lacuna / reduzir a diferença
Most common usage in Brazil
São Paulo
fechar a brecha
Alternative colloquial usage
Portugal
colmatar a lacuna / reduzir a diferença
Preferred usage in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

bridge the gap
narrow the divide
level the playing field
make up ground
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →