pin down

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Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Verb (transitive):
    • To attach or fasten something securely, often with a pin or similar object: This meaning refers to physically securing an item in place.
    • To force someone into a specific, often difficult or confining, position or situation: This figurative meaning describes restricting someone's options or freedom.
    • To define, identify, or specify something clearly and precisely: This meaning involves determining the exact nature or details of something abstract.
Examples of Usage
  • Verb:
    • She used a thumbtack to pin down the poster on the bulletin board. (Physical attachment)
    • The reporter's sharp questions finally pinned down the politician on the issue. (Forcing into a specific position/answer)
    • We need to pin down the exact cause of the problem before we can fix it. (Defining clearly)
    • The heavy snowfall pinned down the travelers in the mountain cabin. (Confining in a place)
Advanced Usage
  • "to pin someone down to a time/place/decision": to get someone to commit to a specific detail.
    • I'm trying to pin him down to a meeting time, but his schedule is so busy.
  • Used in military contexts to describe suppressing enemy forces with fire, preventing their movement.
    • The machine gun fire pinned down the enemy squad.
Variants and Related Words
  • Pinpoint (verb): To locate or identify with very great precision. (e.g., )
  • Nail down (verb, phrasal): A close synonym meaning to establish or finalize something definitively. (e.g., )
Synonyms
  • Fasten (for physical attachment).
  • Trap, Corner (for forcing into a position).
  • Determine, Specify, Identify, Define (for specifying clearly).
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Pin on (someone): To assign blame or responsibility to someone.
    • They tried to pin the crime on an innocent man.
  • Pin up: To attach something to a vertical surface.
    • He pinned up the schedule on the office door.
Related Idioms
  • Pin your hopes on (someone/something): To rely completely on someone or something for success.
    • The team is pinning its hopes on the new star player.
  • Pin money: A small amount of extra money for personal expenses.
    • She babysits to earn a little pin money.
Verb
  1. attach with or as if with a pin
    • pin up a picture
  2. place in a confining or embarrassing position
    • He was trapped in a difficult situation
  3. define clearly
    • I cannot narrow down the rules for this game

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