box in

phrasal verb

boxed in; boxing in; boxes in
: to surround (someone or something) and make movement difficult
The other bicyclists boxed her in and she couldn't move ahead.
usually used as (be) boxed in
We were boxed in and couldn't get out of our parking space.
sometimes used figuratively
I feel boxed in by all these rules.

Examples of box in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The winning goal came after a foul and yellow card was called on Coastal Academy just left of the goal box in the 75th minute. San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025 According to state police, the vehicle was eventually boxed in and stopped. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2025 For example, Solange Knowles’s pillow-like hair couldn’t be boxed in, held back with nothing but a black stretchy headband. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 24 Feb. 2025 Jeremy Ebobisse’s goal from outside the 18-yard box in the 78th minute was the difference in a 1-0 win Saturday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for box in

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Cite this Entry

“Box in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/box%20in. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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