in close quarters
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in close quarters
In or occupying a cramped or rather small space with other people. The term "quarters" is a reference to military housing. I'm glad to be done with my student days. Living in such close quarters with so many people just to afford rent is something I don't want to do again.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
close quarters, at/in
Crowded, in a confined space. The term comes from eighteenth-century naval warfare. Wooden barriers were placed at various points on a ship, so that when an enemy boarded, the crew could retreat behind them and fire at the enemy through loopholes. The crew then were said to be fighting in close quarters, that is, in close contact with the enemy. The term later was transferred to any close contact or crowded situation.
See also: close
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
- at close quarters
- close quarters, at/in
- glad you could come
- (I'm) (so) glad you could come
- (it's) good to hear your voice
- not have room to swing a cat
- be glad to see the back of (someone)
- be glad to see the back of someone or something
- be glad, etc. to see the back of somebody/something
- you couldn't swing a cat in here/there