hem in

Close off escape

To hem in is to surround or confine, restricting movement or options: Mountains hemmed in the valley on three sides.

The phrase often suggests feeling trapped or constrained: She felt hemmed in by her responsibilities.

From the image of fabric edges folded inward, containing what's inside.

surround

encircle

Surround on all sides

encloseShut in on all sides
envelopSurround and cover fully
encompassInclude within bounds

ring · border · flank · cordon off · circle · besiege · blockade · seal off · cut off · crowd

restrict

constrain

To limit or restrict

confineRestrict to boundaries
limitMaximum allowed extent
trapDevice for catching animals

pin down · restrain · impede · inhibit · curtail · hamper · stifle · corner · bottle up · press

Categories

enclosingenvelop, surround, wrap, encircle, encase
restrainhold back, suppress, keep down, restrain, restrict
boundariesboundary, boundary line, borders, border, edges

Opposites

physical confinement

To let go

free · let out · liberate · set free · let loose

constraint and control

hem infree

Without payment or restriction

release · liberate · emancipate · let go · set free

spatial expansion vs. compression

hem inspread out

Extended over distance

disperse · scatter · open up · expand · clear a path

Family

in, hem, hems, hemmed, hemming, heme, hematite, unhemmed, hemmed in

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G