Word
Definition
v. to force someone into a small space or difficult situation where they cannot easily escape. You use it when someone has to stop and face you or answer you.
v. present participle of 'corner'; to force a person or animal into a confined place or difficult situation with no easy escape. Extends to dominating a market by controlling supply.
Examples
“She is cornering him to ask about the money.”
“The reporter kept cornering the mayor after the meeting to get an answer about the new taxes.”
“Cornering the market requires buying enough of a product that others must buy from you, a tactic that can raise prices for everyone.”
Examples
simple
“She is cornering him to ask about the money.”
contextual
“The reporter kept cornering the mayor after the meeting to get an answer about the new taxes.”
complex
“Cornering the market requires buying enough of a product that others must buy from you, a tactic that can raise prices for everyone.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “cornering” in context.
Verb
01. corner in alley
“They cornered him in an alley where he could not run away.”
verb + prep + noun
02. corner suspect
“Police cornered the suspect in a narrow alley and arrested him.”
verb + noun
03. corner thief
“The shopkeeper cornered the thief near the back exit of the store.”
verb + noun
04. corner witness
“The lawyer cornered the witness with a question he could not avoid.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. effectively corner
“Reporters effectively cornered the mayor with tough budget questions.”
adv + verb
06. finally corner
“Police finally cornered the suspect in an abandoned warehouse.”
adv + verb
Noun
07. attempt to corner
“His attempt to corner the director failed when security arrived.”
noun + to + verb
08. effort to corner
“Their effort to corner the witness finally succeeded yesterday.”
noun + to + verb
09. back someone into a corner
“His lies backed him into a corner during the police interview.”
10. corner and confront the suspect
“Officers cornered and confronted the suspect behind the station.”
11. corner someone in an alley
“Two men cornered him in an alley and demanded his wallet.”
12. have someone cornered at last
“We have him cornered at last, so he must answer our questions.”
Usage
Transitive; takes a direct object naming the person, animal, or market being trapped or controlled.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/cornering
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0