box in

box in

1. To physically block and thus prevent someone or something from moving from a certain spot. A noun or pronoun can be used between "box" and "in." Well, I guess I'm not leaving yet because that van is boxing in my car. All this junk is boxing in my tools at the back of the garage—I can't get to any of them. We need to move fast and box in the cat before she can escape again!

2. To limit one's options or cause one to feel restricted or stuck. A noun or pronoun can be used between "box" and "in." I'm a very versatile performer—don't just box me in as a comedic actress. You're only boxed in because your grades are so bad. If you'd been a better student, more colleges would have accepted you. I felt boxed in the moment the doctor told me I was pregnant.

See also: box

boxed in

1. Unable to physically move from a certain spot due to being blocking by something. Well, I guess I'm not leaving yet because my car is boxed in. I can't get to any of my tools at the back of the garage because they're boxed in by all this junk! We need to move fast and keep the cat boxed in so she can't escape again!

2. Restricted or feeling stuck due to one's limited options. I'm a very versatile performer, but I've been boxed in as a comedic actress by the studio. You're only boxed in because your grades are so bad. If you'd been a better student, more colleges would have accepted you. I felt boxed in the moment the doctor told me I was pregnant.

See also: box

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

box someone or something in

to trap or confine someone or something. He boxed her in so she could not get away from him. They tried to box in the animals, but they needed more space. Don't try to box me in.

See also: box

box someone in

Fig. to put someone into a bind; to reduce the number of someone's alternatives. I don't want to box you in, but you are running out of options. I want to box in the whole staff, so they'll have to do it my way.

See also: box

boxed in

Fig. in a bind; having few alternatives. I really feel boxed in around here. I got him boxed in. He'll have to do it our way.

See also: box

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

box in

v.

1. To trap or confine someone or something in a limited space or region: We boxed in the left corner of the living room with a new wall and curtains. The enemy forces had boxed us in on all sides.

2. To prevent someone from acting freely, usually by creating restrictions or obstacles: Being too strict will box in your students and prevent them from being creative. I want to make some changes at the office, but my boss has boxed me in with too many rules.

See also: box

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

box someone in

tv. to put someone into a bind; to reduce the number of someone’s alternatives. (see also boxed in.) I don’t want to box you in, but you are running out of options.

See also: box, someone

boxed in

mod. in a bind; having few alternatives. I got him boxed in. He’ll have to do it our way.

See also: box

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.