B2 Expression Formal 3 min de lectura

To bring this to a close

Presentation and public speaking expression

Literalmente: To lead (bring) this (topic) toward (to) a final shutting (a close).

Use this phrase to professionally signal the end of a formal discussion or presentation.

En 15 segundos

  • Politely signals that a meeting or talk is ending soon.
  • Helps transition smoothly to final points or a summary.
  • Common in professional settings like offices, schools, and speeches.

Significado

A polite and professional way to signal that you are finishing a presentation, meeting, or long conversation. It helps you transition smoothly to the final summary or goodbye.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

Ending a business meeting

To bring this to a close, let's review our action items for next week.

To finish this up, let's look at our tasks for next week.

💼
2

Finishing a school presentation

To bring this to a close, I'd like to thank you for listening.

👔
3

Ending a long phone call with a friend

I should probably bring this to a close before I'm late for dinner!

🤝
🌍

Contexto cultural

This phrase reflects the high value placed on punctuality and structure in Western business culture. Being able to 'close' a meeting effectively is considered a key leadership skill, showing respect for the audience's time. It originated from the idea of 'closing' a physical gate or door to finish a day's work.

💡

The Power Move

Use this phrase if a meeting is going off-track. It helps you take back control and move toward the exit.

⚠️

Timing is Everything

Don't say this and then keep talking for 10 minutes. It ruins the 'close' and annoys the audience!

En 15 segundos

  • Politely signals that a meeting or talk is ending soon.
  • Helps transition smoothly to final points or a summary.
  • Common in professional settings like offices, schools, and speeches.

What It Means

This phrase is your secret weapon for ending things gracefully. It means you are finishing a task or a talk. It is not an abrupt stop. Instead, it is a smooth transition. Think of it like a plane landing. You don't just drop from the sky. You descend slowly and touch down softly. When you use this phrase, you tell people 'we are almost finished.' It gives them a moment to gather their thoughts. It feels professional and very organized. It is a polite way to say goodbye to a topic.

How To Use It

You usually place this phrase at the start of your final sentence. It acts as a signal flare for your listeners. For example, you might say, To bring this to a close, I want to summarize our goals. You can also use it to stop someone who is talking too much. If a meeting is running long, you can jump in. Say, In the interest of time, let's bring this to a close. It sounds much nicer than saying 'stop talking now.' You can also use it instead of this. Both bring this to a close and bring it to a close work perfectly. It is a flexible tool for any speaker.

When To Use It

This phrase shines in professional settings. Use it during a business meeting or a school presentation. It is perfect for a formal speech at a wedding. You can even use it on a long phone call. If your aunt has been talking for an hour, this is your exit strategy. It shows you are in control of the conversation. It also shows you are a polite person who respects schedules. It works well in emails too. You can use it to end a long explanation. It makes your writing look very polished.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid using this in very emotional or intimate moments. If you are breaking up with a partner, don't say this. It will sound like you are firing them from a job! That would be a very awkward dinner. It is also a bit too heavy for a quick chat at the grocery store. If you are just saying hi to a neighbor, keep it simple. Don't use it if you are just starting a topic. It is strictly for the end of the line. Using it too early will confuse people.

Cultural Background

In many English-speaking cultures, time is like money. People do not like to waste it. Ending a meeting on time is a sign of high emotional intelligence. This phrase became popular in the corporate world of the 20th century. It reflects a desire for order and clear structure. It suggests that the speaker is a leader who knows how to manage a room. It is a very 'Western' way of handling social interactions. It shows that you value everyone's time and energy.

Common Variations

If this phrase feels too stiff, you have options. To wrap things up is the most common casual version. You will hear this in every office around the world. To wind down is used when things are slowing down naturally. To conclude is even more formal than our main phrase. You might see to conclude in a research paper or a legal document. If you want to be very direct, just say to finish up. Each one has a slightly different flavor for your needs.

Notas de uso

This is a formal to neutral expression. It is most common in spoken English during structured events like meetings or presentations, but also works in professional emails.

💡

The Power Move

Use this phrase if a meeting is going off-track. It helps you take back control and move toward the exit.

⚠️

Timing is Everything

Don't say this and then keep talking for 10 minutes. It ruins the 'close' and annoys the audience!

💬

The 'Soft' Exit

In the UK, people often add 'I'll let you get on' after bringing a conversation to a close to be extra polite.

Ejemplos

6
#1 Ending a business meeting
💼

To bring this to a close, let's review our action items for next week.

To finish this up, let's look at our tasks for next week.

This signals the final step of the meeting before everyone leaves.

#2 Finishing a school presentation
👔

To bring this to a close, I'd like to thank you for listening.

A classic way to end a speech and invite applause.

#3 Ending a long phone call with a friend
🤝

I should probably bring this to a close before I'm late for dinner!

A polite way to end a chat without sounding rude.

#4 A humorous moment during a long wedding toast
😄

Before the groom falls asleep, let's bring this to a close!

Uses the formal phrase to create a funny contrast with the situation.

#5 Ending a difficult emotional discussion
💭

We've said a lot today, so let's bring this to a close for now.

Suggests a pause in a heavy conversation to allow for processing.

#6 Texting a colleague about a project
💼

Let's bring this to a close over email tomorrow.

Suggests finishing the current discussion at a later time.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the best word to complete the professional closing.

To ___ this to a close, I will share the final sales figures.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: bring

The standard idiom is 'to bring something to a close'.

Complete the sentence to signal the end of a meeting.

In the interest of time, let's bring ___ to a close.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: this

Both 'this' and 'it' are common, but 'this' is very frequent when referring to the current meeting.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality of Ending Phrases

Casual

Used with friends or close coworkers.

Wrap it up

Neutral

Standard for most daily situations.

Finish up

Formal

Professional meetings and presentations.

Bring this to a close

Very Formal

Legal or academic settings.

To conclude

When to use 'Bring this to a close'

Bring to a close
💼

Boardroom Meeting

Summarizing goals.

🎓

University Lecture

Ending a class.

🥂

Wedding Toast

Finishing a speech.

📞

Long Phone Call

Politely hanging up.

Preguntas frecuentes

12 preguntas

It means you are finishing a discussion or event. It is a polite signal that the end is near, like saying we are wrapping up now.

Both are fine! Bring this to a close feels slightly more specific to the current meeting, while bring it to a close is more general.

It might sound a bit too formal for a quick text to a friend. For texting, try Gotta go! or Let's wrap this up instead.

Yes, it is common in formal emails or at the end of a long report. For example, To bring this report to a close, we recommend...

It can be, so wait for a small pause. Using the phrase In the interest of time before it makes it much more polite.

Yes, but bring to a close sounds a bit more natural in spoken English. Conclude is often reserved for very formal speeches or essays.

Absolutely. You can say, We are finally bringing this project to a close. It implies a successful finish.

Not really. It is widely understood and used in both dialects, though Americans might use wrap up slightly more often in business.

Yes, bring to an end is a perfect synonym. However, bring to a close feels a little more elegant and professional.

People sometimes say bring to a finish, which is grammatically okay but sounds unnatural. Stick with close or end.

It is generally too cold and business-like for relationships. It sounds like you are ending a contract, not a romance!

Yes, it is a staple of professional English. You will hear it in almost every corporate office or academic setting.

Frases relacionadas

Wrap things up

To finish a task or discussion (more casual).

Wind down

To gradually come to an end or relax.

Call it a day

To stop working on something for the rest of the day.

In a nutshell

To summarize something very briefly.

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