hedge in

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Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To enclose or surround something, often with a barrier or boundary: "hedge in" means to confine or restrict an area or a person by creating a physical or metaphorical enclosure.
    • To limit or restrict freedom of movement or action: It can describe the act of constraining someone's options or physically surrounding them.
Usage
  • The primary use is as a transitive phrasal verb: to hedge [something/someone] in.
  • It often carries a connotation of feeling trapped or restricted by the enclosure.
Examples
  • Verb:
    • The old garden was completely hedged in by tall, thick bushes.
    • She felt hedged in by the strict rules and regulations of her new job.
    • The farmer hedged in the pasture to keep the sheep from wandering.
Advanced Usage
  • Passive Construction: Commonly used in the passive voice ("to be hedged in") to emphasize the state of being confined.
    • Without a car in the countryside, you can feel terribly hedged in.
  • Metaphorical Use: Frequently applied to non-physical constraints like rules, responsibilities, or circumstances.
    • His creativity was hedged in by the client's very specific demands.
Variants and Related Words
  • Hedge (verb): To avoid making a clear, direct statement or commitment.
    • The politician hedged when asked about his tax policy.
  • Hedge (noun): A fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs.
    • The property line was marked by a dense hedge.
  • Encircle: To form a circle around; surround.
  • Enclose: To surround or close off on all sides.
Synonyms
  • Encircle
  • Surround
  • Enclose
  • Confine
  • Hem in
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Box in: To trap or surround someone so they cannot move or escape easily.
    • The other cars boxed me in at the parking lot.
  • Fence in: To enclose an area with a fence.
    • They decided to fence in the backyard for the dog.
  • Hem in: To surround someone or something closely so that movement is restricted.
    • Protesters found themselves hemmed in by police barriers.
Related Idioms
  • (To be) in a bind: To be in a difficult situation with few options.
    • The new contract has the company in a bind.
  • (To be) fenced in: To feel restricted or confined.
    • After years in the city, he felt fenced in and longed for open spaces.
Verb
  1. enclose or bound in with or as it with a hedge or hedges
    • hedge the property

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