shut in
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle in
Meanings
Enclose by closing a door
Why “in”? A person or thing enters or remains within a space, limit, activity, or feeling.
“The cat got shut in the cupboard.”
“The keys were shut in the car.”
Don't confuse with
Shut in means enclose by closing a door. Shut out means prevent someone or something from being included.
Test yourself
“The cat got shut in the cupboard.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
shut out
A contrast learners often mix up
Prevent someone or something from being included
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
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