# fence in

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fence-in
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to surround an area with a fence to keep something inside. You can also use it when you feel trapped or limited by rules.

For teachers: To enclose a physical space with a fence; figuratively, to restrict or limit a person's freedom or agency. Transitive; the object may be placed between the verb and the particle.

## Examples

- We need to fence in the yard for the dog.
- The farmer had to fence in his cattle to stop them from wandering onto the neighbor's property during the night.
- The protagonist in the novel feels fenced in by the rigid social expectations of her era, eventually leading her to seek a life of solitude.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I feel fenced by my strict parents." but "I feel fenced in by my strict parents." — The figurative sense of feeling restricted or trapped requires the particle 'in' to be complete.

## Usage notes

- The object can be placed either after the particle or between the verb and the particle.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'fence off', which is used when separating a specific area from a larger one to prevent entry.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.