.closest()

Syntax

.closest(selector[, context])

Parameters

selector: A string containing a selector expression to match elements against
context (optional): A DOM element within which a matching element may be found

Return value

The new jQuery object.

Description

Get the first element that matches the selector, beginning at the current element and progressing up through the DOM tree.

Examples

 
<html>
  <head>
    <script src="http://java2s.com/Book/JavaScriptDemo/jQuery/jquery-1.8.0.min.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript">
        $(document).ready(function(){
          $(document).bind("click", function (e) {
               $(e.target).closest("span").text("asdf");
          });
        });
    </script>
  </head>
  <body>
    <body>
         <div><span>span</span><span>span</span><span>span</span></div>
  </body>
</html>

Click to view the demo