box in
phrasal 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 inWe were boxed in and couldn't get out of our parking space.
—sometimes used figurativelyI feel boxed in by all these rules.
Examples of box in in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Most of all, though, Shohei Ohtani checked off another important box in his return from a 2023 Tommy John surgery, taking another step closer to resuming two-way duties for the first time as a Dodger.
—
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
The trio was spotted watching the concert from a private box in one photo posted on social media at the time.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 10 May 2025
National brands feel boxed in by the political climate and the nation’s growing polarization, said Bob Witeck, president of Witeck Communications, which specializes in LGBTQ+ marketing.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 7 May 2025
If the generous toe box in the standard width isn’t enough, the 880 also comes in wide and extra-wide widths.
—Lauren Wingenroth, SELF, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for box in
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Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
The trio was spotted watching the concert from a private box in one photo posted on social media at the time.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 10 May 2025
National brands feel boxed in by the political climate and the nation’s growing polarization, said Bob Witeck, president of Witeck Communications, which specializes in LGBTQ+ marketing.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 7 May 2025
If the generous toe box in the standard width isn’t enough, the 880 also comes in wide and extra-wide widths.
—Lauren Wingenroth, SELF, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for box in
Cite this Entry
“Box in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/box%20in. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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