hems in
Closes 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.
See hem.
- enclosesShuts within bounds
- surroundsEncloses on all sides
- constrictsTightens by encircling pressure
- squeezeFirm bilateral compression
- pins downFixes firmly in place
limit · corners · restrict · confinement · cordon · besieges · imprisons · constraint · holds back · cage · blockade · traps · suffocates · encircles · barrier · edge · perimeter · boundary
- enclosesencloses, surrounds, encircles, encompasses, contains