Box in Meaning in English
expression
ˈbɑks/ /ˈɪn/, /ɪn
BAHKS IN
bˈɒks/ /ˈɪn
BOKS IN
Definition
To surround or confine someone or something so they cannot move freely or escape; often used both literally (physical restriction) and figuratively (limited options).
Usage & Nuances
Mostly informal, used for both physical (e.g. blocked by cars) and figurative (e.g. trapped by circumstances) situations. Common collocations: 'feel boxed in', 'get boxed in'. Often followed by 'by' to specify cause (e.g. 'boxed in by traffic').
Spanish: encerrar - acorralarPortuguese (BR): encurralar - prenderPortuguese (PT): encurralar - prenderChinese (Simplified): 困住 - 使无法脱身Chinese (Traditional): 困住 - 使無法脫身Hindi: घेरे रखना - फंसा देनाArabic: يُحْبَس - يُقيّد (حركة)Bengali: আটকে ফেলা - সীমাবদ্ধ করে ফেলাRussian: загонять в угол - ограничиватьJapanese: 閉じ込める - 追い詰めるVietnamese: giam lại - làm cho bị kẹtKorean: 가두다 - 제한하다Turkish: kısıtlamak - köşeye sıkıştırmakUrdu: گھیر لینا - محدود کرناIndonesian: mepet - membatasi gerak
Example Sentences
I parked too close and now I'm boxed in.
basic
She felt boxed in at her job.
basic
The car was boxed in by two trucks.
basic
Don’t let others box you in—go after what you want.
natural
I hate feeling boxed in by so many rules.
natural
The trees boxed in the little cottage, making it feel cozy but isolated.
natural