cage

cage someone or something in 

1. Lit. to enclose someone or something in a cage. We caged the monkey in, but it threw a fit. We are going to have to cage in the dogs.

2. Fig. to confine someone or something. Please don't cage me in this tiny room! The health authorities virtually caged in the quarantined population until they could all be tested.

cage someone or something up (in something)

to enclose or confine someone or something in something or someplace. They caged the lions up in strong containers for the trip across country. How long did it take to cage up the lions securely?

See also: up

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rattle somebody's cage

to make someone angry on purpose, often in order to make them seem silly She tried to rattle his cage with questions about his failed army career.

See also: rattle

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rattle somebody's cage

to make someone angry on purpose I rattled his cage by telling him I hated his art.

Etymology: based on the idea of rattling (making a noise by repeatedly hitting) the cage to annoy the animal inside it

See also: rattle