seal off

Idioms and Phrases

Also, seal up . Close tightly or barricade to prevent entry or exit. For example, We're sealing off the unused wing of the building , or The jar is tightly sealed up . Dating from the first half of the 1900s, this idiom uses seal in the sense of “close securely,” as one used to do with a seal of wax.

Example Sentences

Staff at a nearby BP petrol station told the BBC they had to seal off pumps to prevent an explosion as fireworks were being launched into the restaurant next door.

From BBC

Atlantic was now completely sealed off from Olympic to just north of Whittier.

From Los Angeles Times

A version of the plan appeared to be in place at Jabalia camp in the north, after it was sealed off by Israeli troops, tanks and drones.

From BBC

Israel only slowly and sparingly opens crossings into Gaza, an area sealed off from outside access.

From Los Angeles Times

Some gave evidence at the trial that they had seen a man shoot Kukuczka before "people in uniform" sealed off the passage.

From BBC

Related Words

• circle
• enclose
• surround