hem in
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle in
Meanings
Surround so movement is limited
Why “in”? A person or thing enters or remains within a space, limit, activity, or feeling.
“I felt hemmed in by the rules.”
“Tall buildings hemmed in the square.”
Test yourself
“I felt hemmed in by the rules.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
bask in
Same in pattern: inside
Take great pleasure in attention, success or warmth
box in
Same in pattern: inside
Surround tightly with little room
chain in
Same in pattern: inside
Hold someone or something in place using chains
check in
Same in pattern: inside
Register at a hotel, airport or event; Hand over luggage to be loaded onto a plane; Briefly contact someone to update them
close in
Same in pattern: inside
Surround so escape becomes harder
crowd in
Same in pattern: inside
Move into a small space in large numbers
fall in
Same in pattern: inside
Collapse inward
fence in
Same in pattern: inside
Enclose with a barrier
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- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
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