stay close to

Meaning

This phrase means to maintain a strong, intimate, or supportive relationship with someone over time. While it can refer to physical proximity, in social and relationship contexts, it almost always means staying emotionally connected, communicative, and supportive of each other.

Examples

• Even though they moved to different countries, they managed to stay close to each other.

  Even though they moved to different countries, they managed to stay close to each other.

• I always try to stay close to my family, no matter how busy my life gets.

  I always try to stay close to my family, no matter how busy my life gets.

• It is important to stay close to friends who support your goals.

  It is important to stay close to friends who support your goals.

• She promised to stay close to her childhood best friend forever.

  She promised to stay close to her childhood best friend forever.

• We didn't stay close to our college roommates after graduation, which is sad.

  We didn't stay close to our college roommates after graduation, which is sad.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to stay close with my brother.

  ✓ I want to stay close to my brother.

  Although 'close with' is sometimes heard in informal speech, the standard prepositional phrase for the action of maintaining this connection is 'stay close to'.

• ✗ They stayed closely after the incident.

  ✓ They stayed close after the incident.

  Use the adjective 'close' rather than the adverb 'closely' when describing the state of a relationship.

Related Expressions

Practice

• No matter where you move, promise me you'll ___ your sister.

  💡 Maintain a strong emotional bond.

  Show answer

  stay close to

• It's hard to ___ old school friends when everyone is so busy.

  💡 Keep a tight relationship with.

  Show answer

  stay close to