coop in
Definition
Verb (transitive): * To confine or enclose someone or something within a limited space, often in a restrictive or protective manner. The phrase suggests a sense of being shut in or restricted from free movement, similar to how poultry is kept in a coop.
Usage
The verb "coop in" is used to describe the action of placing someone or something into a confined space. It often carries a connotation of restriction, either for practical reasons (like safety) or as a negative result of circumstance. It is frequently used in the passive voice ("to be cooped in") or with a reflexive pronoun ("to coop oneself in").
Examples
- Active voice:
- Passive voice:
- Reflexive:
Advanced Usage
- "to be cooped up": This is a very common phrasal variant. "Cooped up" is often used as an adjective phrase to describe the state of feeling restless or confined.
- The kids are getting restless; they've been cooped up all week because of the rain.
Variants and Related Words
- Coop (noun): A cage or pen for confining poultry.
- Coop up (phrasal verb): A more frequent synonym for "coop in," meaning to confine or shut in.
- I hate being cooped up in an office all day.
Synonyms
- Confine
- Enclose
- Shut in
- Pen in
- Cage
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Box in: To surround or trap, preventing escape or movement.
- The other cars boxed me in, so I couldn't leave the parking space.
- Hem in: To surround and restrict the movement of someone or something.
- The protesters were hemmed in by police barriers.
Related Idioms
- Like a caged animal: Behaving in a restless, agitated, or trapped manner.
- After being indoors for so long, he paced around like a caged animal.
Verb
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confine in or as if in a coop
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she coops herself up in the library all day
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