Both candidates campaigned hard. It was clear to everyone that the vote would be close.

VOA: special.2010.04.29

"hard close" would prevent them from letting favored clients illegally profit off late orders.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Yet Mr Bush's team has been working hard to close this gap.

ECONOMIST: The timing of the shrub | The

The sea offers space, a view to a distant horizon, a physical perspective less oppressive than hard-edged close-up urban architecture.

BBC: Alone at the seaside