Definition

1. Verb:
   • To enclose or confine with a wall: The action of surrounding an area or object with a wall, creating a barrier that restricts movement or access.

Usage

• The primary use of the verb "wall in" is to describe the act of constructing a wall around something, thereby enclosing it.
• It is a separable phrasal verb. The object can be placed between "wall" and "in" or after the entire phrase.
  • Correct: They decided to wall the garden in.
  • Correct: They decided to wall in the garden.
• It often carries a connotation of confinement, restriction, or protection.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The ancient city was walled in to protect it from invaders.
  • The farmer walled the pasture in to keep the sheep from wandering.
  • Feeling walled in by the tall buildings, she longed for open space.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: Can be used metaphorically to describe a feeling of being trapped or restricted by non-physical circumstances.
  • After the promotion, he felt walled in by new responsibilities and paperwork.

Variants and Related Words

• Wall off (phrasal verb): To separate one area from another with a wall. Often implies division or isolation.
  • They walled off the old section of the factory for safety reasons.
• Enclose (verb): A more general synonym for surrounding or closing off an area.
• Confine (verb): To keep within limits; to restrict.

Synonyms

• Encircle: To form a circle around.
• Surround: To enclose on all sides.
• Hem in: To surround and restrict the movement of.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Wall up: To seal an opening with a wall or bricks.
  • They walled up the old fireplace.
• Box in: To trap or surround, preventing escape (often used figuratively).

Related Idioms

• Like a rat in a trap: Describes someone who is completely trapped or confined, similar to the feeling of being "walled in."
  • With exits blocked, the thieves were like rats in a trap.

Verb

1. enclose with a wall