Cage
/keidʤ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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
- a movable screen placed behind home base to catch balls during batting practice
- the net that is the goal in ice hockey
- United States composer of avant-garde music (1912-1992)
- something that restricts freedom as a cage restricts movement
- an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
Verb
- confine in a cage
- The animal was caged