Close a door behind...

Question

I think I know what "close a door" means. What does "close a door behind someone" mean?

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2012/07/120724_tews_81_sheepish.shtml

Emily grinned sheepishly as she closed the door behind her.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

She went out through the door. Then she closed it.

Clive

Avangi · Answer

It usually implies that someone has first passed through the door. The door is then closed after the person has passed through. Hence the action is "behind him" with respect to the direction in which he's traveling.

A person may close the door behind himself.
And person B may close the door behind person A.

Why doesn't that idiot ever close the door behind him[self]? Was he brought up in a barn?

Small children running through the house often leave the doors open, and must be admonished, "Close the door after yourself!"

HUBLOT · Answer

Thank you, Clive and Avangi.

Can we say "close a door behind someone" to mean "to go in (a room) through a door, and close it"?

Avangi · Answer

<< Can we say "close a door behind someone" to mean "to go in (a room) through a door, and close it"?>>
Yes, except there would be two people involved in the first scenario, and only one in the second..

HUBLOT · Answer

Thank you, Avangi.

Close a door behind...

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