box in
Trap on all sides
To box in is to surround or confine, limiting movement or options.
Physically, you might box in a car by parking too close: Someone boxed me in and I couldn't back out.
Figuratively, circumstances or opponents can box you in, leaving few choices: The contract's terms boxed us in.
Often appears as boxed in: I felt boxed in by expectations.
- encloseShut in on all sides
- confineRestrict to boundaries
- constrainTo limit or restrict
- cageBarred confinement structure
- corneringForcing into position
back against the wall · claustrophobic · close quarters · helplessness · trap · coop up · surround · tight spot · bottle up · stifling · boundary · cordon off · net · walls · barricade · squeeze play · tight · cramped