pinning down
Holding in place
Pinning down means securing something firmly in place or forcing someone to commit to specifics.
You pin down a tarp so it won't blow away.
You pin down an opponent in wrestling.
Figuratively, to pin someone down is to get them to state a clear position: I tried to pin her down on a date, but she kept hedging.
A feeling you can't quite pin down resists precise identification.
- immobilisingStopping all movement
- defineState precise meaning
- chooseSelect from alternatives
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
- fastenFix securely in position
specify · nail · elucidate · pinpoint · decide · determine · secure · clarify · trapping · cornering · finalize · locking in · resolve · select · clamp · tether · confirm · articulate
- burdensburden, load, onus, obligations, weight
- roughhousingroughhouse, roughhousing, rough play, rough and tumble, horseplay
- representingrepresenting, depicting, portraying, symbolizing, illustrating
physical restraint
pinning downreleasing
Allowing to escape
letting go · freeing · liberating · loosening · unshackling