newyork.localmean.com/stand-clear-closing-doors
Stand clear of the closing doors
STAND KLEER uhv thuh KLOH-zing DORZ
Local meaning
The familiar New York subway warning telling riders to move away from train doors before they close.
The wording is an official safety instruction and one of the most recognizable sounds of the subway. New Yorkers may quote it humorously outside transit, but on a platform or train it remains a practical direction to keep people, bags, clothing, and mobility devices clear of the doorway.
Example in context
- “Stand clear of the closing doors, please.”
How it is used
Closely associated with New York subway announcements, though similar warnings exist in other systems.
official, familiar, sometimes quoted playfully
subway cars, platforms, transit jokes, city soundscape
Closely associated with New York subway announcements, though similar warnings exist in other systems.
Do not hold or block closing doors. A familiar announcement is still a safety instruction, not background noise.
Spelling and scope
Closely associated with New York subway announcements, though similar warnings exist in other systems.
- Search forms
stand clear of the closing doors meaningNYC subway closing doors announcementstand clear subway phrase
LocalMean keeps common search spellings discoverable without claiming that every borough, community, or generation uses one written form.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the announcement say stand clear?
It tells riders to move themselves and their belongings away from the doorway so the train can close and depart safely.
Is the phrase unique to New York?
The exact familiar wording is strongly associated with the New York subway, although other transit systems use similar warnings.
Read next
All words →Evidence and further reading
These sources support the regional association, dictionary sense, or broader spread. The entry remains open to correction from New York speakers and qualified reviewers.
- Subway maps and service informationMetropolitan Transportation Authority
Official context for uptown, downtown, borough, and route-direction language.