# hem in

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hem-in
Updated: 2026-08-05

## Definition

to surround someone or something so they cannot move or act freely.

For teachers: to enclose or confine within a restricted space or situation, preventing movement or progress. Often used in the passive voice to describe physical or metaphorical restrictions.

## Examples

- The tall buildings hem in the small park.
- During the protest, the police managed to hem in the crowd to prevent them from reaching the square.
- The small startup felt hemmed in by the aggressive patent litigation and regulatory hurdles imposed by its larger competitors.

## Usage notes

- Frequently used in the passive form 'to be hemmed in' followed by 'by'.
- Teaching tip: Connect the meaning to the 'hem' of a garment—a border that keeps the fabric from fraying—to help students visualize the concept of a boundary.

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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.