A sliding closure (10) at the outlet of a metallurgic container is provided with a housing (12), at least one closing plate arranged therein, a longitudinally displaceable closing plate and a cover (15), fastened to the housing (12) by means of a bracing mechanism (20). The closing plates can be pressed against one another by the bracing mechanism (20) via the cover (15). The bracing mechanism (20) having at least one spring member (33) is provided with clamping levers (21, 22) pivotably housed on either side at the housing (12) and supports (23, 24) which cooperate with same, with the result that, by pivoting these clamping levers (21, 22), the cover (15) can be fastened to, or released from, the housing. In this way, the closing plates, which often need to be exchanged, can also be braced, always uniformly and optimally, against one another, even after many operational uses.