shut in
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle in
Meanings
Enclose by closing a door
Why “in”? Walls close around something. What is in is held inside.
“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
be in
Same in pattern: inside
Be present at home or at work
box in
Same in pattern: inside
Surround tightly with little room
breathe in
Same in pattern: inside
Inhale air
build in
Same in pattern: inside
Include something as a permanent part of a design
buy in
Same in pattern: inside
Purchase a stock of something for use later
chain in
Same in pattern: inside
Hold someone or something in place using chains
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