cage in
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To confine or enclose within a cage or a cage-like structure.
- To restrict someone's freedom or movement, often creating a feeling of being trapped or imprisoned, whether physically or metaphorically.
Usage
- The verb "cage in" is used to describe the action of placing something or someone inside a cage, or more broadly, of imposing severe restrictions that limit freedom.
- It often carries a negative connotation, implying unwanted confinement or restriction.
- It is typically followed by a direct object (the thing or person being confined).
Examples
- Literal Confinement:
- The zookeepers had to cage in the aggressive lion for safety.
- Please cage in the birds before the storm arrives.
- Metaphorical Restriction:
- His overprotective parents caged him in, never allowing him to make his own decisions.
- Feeling caged in by her desk job, she dreamed of traveling the world.
Advanced Usage
- "to feel caged in": To experience a strong sense of confinement, restriction, or lack of freedom.
- After months in the small apartment, he started to feel caged in.
- Passive Voice Construction: Often used in the passive voice to emphasize the state of being confined.
- The animals were caged in for their own protection during the fire.
Variants and Related Words
- Cage (verb): To put or keep in a cage. (e.g., )
- Encase (verb): To enclose or cover in a case or close-fitting surround.
- Enclose (verb): To surround or close off on all sides.
Synonyms
- Confine: To keep or restrict someone or something within certain limits.
- Enclose: To surround or close off.
- Imprison: To put or keep in prison; to confine.
- Pen in: To enclose in a pen or small area.
Phrasal Verbs
- Box in: To trap or surround someone so they cannot move or escape easily.
- The other cars boxed him in, and he couldn't leave the parking space.
- Hem in: To surround someone or something closely, restricting movement.
- The protesters were hemmed in by police barriers.
Related Idioms
- Like a caged animal: Behaving in a restless, aggressive, or frantic way due to confinement or frustration.
- He paced the room like a caged animal, waiting for the test results.
Verb
- confine in a cage
- The animal was caged