Foreclose (verb)

1. To legally take possession of a property, usually a house, due to the borrower's default on a mortgage.
2. To deprive someone of an opportunity or to prevent something from happening.

Origin:

From the middle english word "foreclosen" meaning to close or shut off in advance.

Examples:

1. The bank foreclosed on the property after the owner failed to make the mortgage payments.
2. The lender foreclosed on the property because the borrower was in default.
3. He was afraid that the bank would foreclose on his home.
4. She attempted to foreclose the opportunity for her opponent to win the game.
5. The company's actions will foreclose the possibility of a merger.