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box in

phrasal verb

Definition of box 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.

Word by Word Definitions

box play

  1. : an evergreen shrub or small tree (genus Buxus of the family Buxaceae, the box family) with opposite entire leaves and capsular fruits

  1. : a rigid typically rectangular container with or without a cover : such as

  2. : an open cargo container of a vehicle

  3. : coffin

  1. : to enclose in or as if in a box

  2. : to hem in (someone, such as an opponent)

  1. : a punch or slap especially on the ear

  1. : to hit (something, especially someone's ears) with the hand

  2. : to engage in boxing with

  3. : to fight with the fists : engage in boxing

  1. : to name the 32 points of (the compass) in their order

See the full definition of box

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