hemmed in
phrase · Collocation / phrase C2
Plain meaning
trapped or surrounded with little freedom to move
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe trapped or surrounded with little freedom to move, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalThe discussion gave us a useful example of hemmed in.
examPolicy makers must consider hemmed in when evaluating long-term social and economic outcomes.
Common collocations
hemmed ina clear example of hemmed inuse hemmed in appropriately
Watch out
Do not change the key word order in “hemmed in”; collocations sound natural because the words travel together.