pen in

phrase

: to prevent (someone or something) from moving beyond a particular area

The prisoners were penned in by a high fence.

—often used figuratively

She felt penned in by their relationship.

Examples of pen in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

State health officials suspect that the goats were exposed to rabies by a skunk that infiltrated their pen in late July. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 2 Sep. 2026

The goats were most likely exposed to rabies by a skunk that had entered their pen in late July, according to the state health department, which was first notified of the rabies exposure on Thursday. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Somehow, Sanchez talked his way out of the Box and attended the two-day gathering at Otisville Correctional Facility, a medium-security pen in mid-state New York. — Rufus Walker, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2026

The Sharpie executive offered to make a pen in black and paint the White House on it and even his signature in gold. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026

Rhymes for pen in

• pennon
• rennin
• tenon