cerrar el paso — meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  General (Spanish-speaking countries)neutral
  • To block or obstruct a route or thoroughfare so that people or vehicles cannot continue through.
  • To interpose an obstacle or barrier that prevents physical passage.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Durante la protesta, la policía cerró el paso en la avenida principal para controlar a la multitud.

    During the protest, the police blocked the passage on the main avenue to control the crowd.

  • ¿Puedes cerrar el paso a los vehículos mientras se realiza la reparación en la carretera?

    Can you block the passage for vehicles while the road repair is underway?

  • Los manifestantes cerraron el paso en la entrada del edificio para impedir la llegada de los directivos.

    The protesters blocked the passage at the building entrance to prevent the executives from arriving.

• 2.

  General (Spanish-speaking countries)neutralmilitary
  • To prevent reinforcements, supplies, or hostile forces from reaching a destination by sealing off approaches or cutting routes.
  • To close a strategic line of movement in order to stop enemy movement or support.

  Examples

  Beta

  • El ejército cerró el paso para evitar que las fuerzas enemigas recibieran refuerzos.

    The army blocked the passage to prevent enemy forces from receiving reinforcements.

  • Durante la operación, lograron cerrar el paso a los suministros que podían llegar al campamento rival.

    During the operation, they managed to block the supply routes that could reach the rival camp.

  • Los soldados cerraron el paso a la zona estratégica para impedir que el enemigo avanzara.

    The soldiers closed the passage to the strategic area to prevent the enemy from advancing.

• 3.

  General (Spanish-speaking countries)neutralfigurative
  • To figuratively prevent or hinder the progress, access, or influence of an idea, person, or process.
  • To make it difficult or impossible for something to advance or gain entry.

  Examples

  Beta

  • El comité decidió cerrar el paso a nuevas ideas que podrían desviar el proyecto original.

    The committee decided to block the progress of new ideas that could divert the original project.

  • Intentaron cerrar el paso a su candidatura, pero ella siguió adelante con mucha determinación.

    They tried to block her candidacy, but she went ahead with great determination.

  • En la empresa, cerraron el paso a cualquier propuesta que no cumpliera con las normas internas.

    In the company, they closed the way to any proposal that did not comply with internal regulations.

• 4.

  General (Spanish-speaking countries)neutraltechnical
  • To stop the flow of a liquid or gas by closing a valve, tap, or channel.
  • To shut off the passage of a substance through a conduit.

  Examples

  Beta

  • Si quieres evitar que se escape el gas, debes cerrar el paso de la llave principal.

    If you want to prevent the gas from escaping, you must close the main valve.

  • Antes de reparar la tubería, cerraron el paso para detener el flujo de agua.

    Before repairing the pipe, they closed the passage to stop the water flow.

  • El técnico cerró el paso del líquido mediante una válvula especial para evitar derrames.

    The technician stopped the flow of liquid by closing the passage with a special valve to prevent spills.

  • Para cerrar el paso del aire, simplemente gira la manija hacia la posición de cerrado.

    To close the airflow, simply turn the handle to the closed position.