Definition

1. Noun:

   • An enclosure made of wire or metal bars in which birds or animals are kept: A structure designed to confine animals, allowing them to be seen while preventing escape.
   • Something that restricts freedom: A metaphorical use describing any situation, environment, or condition that feels confining or limiting.
   • A movable screen in baseball: A screen placed behind home plate during batting practice to stop balls.
   • The netted goal in ice hockey: The framed net structure that serves as the goal in ice hockey.

2. Verb:

   • To confine in a cage: The action of placing or keeping a bird, animal, or person within a cage or a cage-like confinement.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The zookeeper cleaned the lion's cage.
  • After years in the same job, he felt his office was a gilded cage.
  • The batting cage was set up on the field for practice.
  • The puck flew into the cage for a goal.

• Verb:

  • The researchers had to cage the wild animal for its own safety.
  • She felt caged by the expectations of her family.

Advanced Usage

• "to rattle someone's cage": To deliberately annoy or provoke someone.

  • He's just trying to rattle your cage before the debate; don't let him get to you.

• "cage match": A type of professional wrestling match fought within a cage structure surrounding the ring.

  • The rivalry culminated in a brutal cage match.

Variants and Related Words

• Caged (adj.): Describes something that is confined in a cage.
  • The caged bird sang.
• Cagey (adj.): Being cautious, wary, or reluctant to give information. (Note: This is a distinct word with a different meaning, not a direct variant of the noun/verb 'cage').
  • The politician was very cagey about his future plans.

Synonyms

• Noun (Enclosure): Enclosure, pen, coop, aviary (for birds).
• Noun (Confinement): Prison, confinement, enclosure.
• Verb: Enclose, confine, imprison, pen.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(The word 'cage' does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs. The action is typically expressed with prepositions like 'in' or 'up'.) - Cage in: To surround or confine as if in a cage. - The tall buildings caged in the small park. - Cage up: To put something into a cage. - We need to cage up the rabbits for the night.

Related Idioms

• Like a bird in a gilded cage: In a situation that appears luxurious or comfortable but is actually confining and restrictive.
  • With her wealthy but controlling husband, she lived like a bird in a gilded cage.

Noun

1. a movable screen placed behind home base to catch balls during batting practice
2. the net that is the goal in ice hockey
3. United States composer of avant-garde music (1912-1992)
4. something that restricts freedom as a cage restricts movement
5. an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept

Verb

1. confine in a cage
   • The animal was caged