Definition of box in

box inphrasal verb

hộp trong

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The phrase "box in" originated in the context of car driving. It describes a situation where a vehicle is surrounded by obstacles, making it difficult or impossible to move in any direction. The obstacles, in this case, are often other cars or tight spaces such as parallel parked vehicles. The term "box" refers to the close proximity of other vehicles, particularly on all sides, which can make it challenging for a driver to maneuver their car. When a driver is said to be "boxed in," they are essentially trapped and must wait for an opening to escape or find an alternative route. The use of the phrase "box in" to represent a figurative situation or obstacle in everyday language gained momentum in the late 20th century when cars became increasingly popular, and traffic congestion became a common problem in many urban areas. Now, it is used figuratively in a wide range of situations to describe any situation where a person feels congested, confined, or restricted in their actions or choices. Overall, the phrase "box in" is a useful and descriptive term that provides insight into the way traffic and driving culture impacts our daily lives, both literally and figuratively.

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to prevent somebody/something from being able to move by surrounding them with people, vehicles, etc.

ngăn cản ai đó/cái gì đó không thể di chuyển bằng cách bao quanh chúng bằng người, xe cộ, v.v.

Example:
  • Someone had parked behind us and boxed us in.

    Có người đã đỗ xe phía sau chúng tôi và chặn chúng tôi lại.

to prevent somebody from doing what they want by creating unnecessary problems

ngăn cản ai đó làm những gì họ muốn bằng cách tạo ra những vấn đề không cần thiết

Example:
  • She felt boxed in by all their petty rules.

    Cô cảm thấy bị bó buộc bởi những quy tắc nhỏ nhặt của họ.