pinned down
Trapped in place
Pinned down describes being held in place, unable to move or escape.
Physically, someone might be pinned down by an attacker or by debris: Rescuers found him pinned down under the collapsed beam.
In military contexts, forces are pinned down when enemy fire prevents movement.
Figuratively, to pin someone down is to force them to commit to specifics: I tried to pin her down on a date, but she kept hedging.
Fixed securely in position
- fastenedJoined or held together
- securedMade fast or obtained
- fixedRestored or immovable
- nailedSecured with fasteners
bolted · riveted · tacked · stapled · clamped · stuck · held · restrained
Unable to flee
- surroundedBounded on all sides
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
- ensnaredCaught by trickery
- caughtSeized or grabbed
stuck · helpless · outmaneuvered · blockaded · besieged · encircled · hemmed in · boxed in
Firmly committed to purpose
- establishedFormally set up
- definedGiven exact meaning
- specifiedExplicitly stated or defined
- locatedFound the position of
isolated · confirmed · verified · ascertained · clarified · nailed · figured out · zeroed in
Reduced in intensity
- overpoweredExcessively dominant or conquered
- dominatedControlled or overpowered
- restrainedHeld under control
- controlledKept within limits
defeated · conquered · overcome · subjugated · crushed · quashed · silenced · neutralized
Required by duty
- boundSecured or destined
- locked inFirmly committed, unchangeable
- pledgedFormally promised something
- contractedReduced in size
promised · accountable · responsible · constrained · restricted · limited · beholden · answerable
anchored
Fixed securely in position
nailed · bolted · riveted · tacked · stapled · clamped · stuck · held · restrained · braced
cornered
Unable to flee
- surroundedBounded on all sides
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
- ensnaredCaught by trickery
caught · stuck · helpless · outmaneuvered · blockaded · besieged · encircled · hemmed in · boxed in · closed in
determined
Firmly committed to purpose
- establishedFormally set up
- definedGiven exact meaning
- specifiedExplicitly stated or defined
located · isolated · confirmed · verified · ascertained · clarified · nailed · figured out · zeroed in · narrowed
subdued
Reduced in intensity
- overpoweredExcessively dominant or conquered
- dominatedControlled or overpowered
- restrainedHeld under control
controlled · defeated · conquered · overcome · subjugated · crushed · quashed · silenced · neutralized · contained
obligated
Required by duty
contracted · promised · accountable · responsible · constrained · restricted · limited · beholden · answerable · duty-bound
- burdensburden, load, onus, obligations, weight
- Sewing Metaphorsseamless, threadbare, woven, patched up, hanging by a thread
- warfarebattle, combat, attack, war, armed conflict
- stillnessstillness, motionless, motionlessness, immobility, unmoving
- military statusactive duty, enlisted, retired, deployed, veteran
pinned downfree
Without payment or restriction
released · liberated · unrestrained · loose · freed
pinned downmobile
Capable of movement
advancing · on the move · on the offensive · maneuvering · breaking out
pinned downvague
Unclear, ill-defined
evasive · noncommittal · uncommitted · indefinite · ambiguous
pin, pinned, pinning, pins, down, downed, downing, downs, unpin