box in

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

The state of Colorado began mailing ballots to residents last week, and all of the ballot drop boxes in Denver opened on Monday. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Instead, as Harper stood in the batter’s box in the sixth inning Thursday night against Suarez, those watching at home resigned themselves to counting down the outs to a long winter. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Break down and recycle those bulky boxes to clear out attic clutter instantly, or try repurposing cardboard boxes in your garden. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2026

Both he and his now ex-wife were arrested, with piles of cash found in a Bagel Bites box in their freezer, down a heat vent, and submerged in spaghetti sauce. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for box in

• coxon
• oxen
• tocsin
• toxin
• aflatoxin
• antitoxin
• digitoxin
• endotoxin
• exotoxin
• ferredoxin
• mycotoxin
• neurotoxin