box in

verb

boxed in; boxing in; boxes in

: to surround (someone or something) and make movement difficult

The other bicyclists boxed her in and she couldn't move ahead.

—usually used as (be) boxed in

We were boxed in and couldn't get out of our parking space.

—sometimes used figuratively

I feel boxed in by all these rules.

Examples of box in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The number is also up from 670,000 boxes in the 2024-25 growing season, the first year lemons were given their own listing. — Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026

Be sure to remove any additional materials like tape, labels, or staples before using boxes in your garden, as these items will not break down in the soil. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 10 July 2026

Sprinkle some in shoes to deodorize overnight, or place a box in the refrigerator to absorb food odors. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 6 July 2026

In a panel labeled equity, the shorter people get extra boxes in inverse proportion to their height. — Teresa M. Bejan, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026

Rhymes for box in

• coxon
• oxen
• tocsin
• toxin
• aflatoxin
• antitoxin
• digitoxin
• endotoxin
• exotoxin
• ferredoxin
• mycotoxin
• neurotoxin