Phrasal verb
shut in
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
shut in
Past
shut in
Past participle
shut in
Definition
phrasal verb. to keep someone or something inside a place so they cannot leave.
phrasal verb. to confine or enclose a person or object within a specific area. Often used transitively or in the passive voice to indicate forced isolation.
Examples
“I shut the cat in the bedroom so it wouldn't escape.”
“The heavy snowfall shut the villagers in their homes for nearly a week until the plows arrived.”
“The rare manuscripts were shut in a lead-lined chamber to protect them from the catastrophic effects of the surrounding radiation.”
Examples
simple
“I shut the cat in the bedroom so it wouldn't escape.”
contextual
“The heavy snowfall shut the villagers in their homes for nearly a week until the plows arrived.”
complex
“The rare manuscripts were shut in a lead-lined chamber to protect them from the catastrophic effects of the surrounding radiation.”
Usage
The phrase is frequently used in the passive voice to describe being trapped by weather or illness.
Teaching tip
Highlight the irregular conjugation (shut-shut-shut) and compare it with 'lock in' which implies the use of a key.
Pitfall
They shutted the bird in the cage.
They shut the bird in the cage.
The verb 'shut' is irregular and does not take the '-ed' ending in the past tense.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in
Separability
separable
Pattern
shut + object + in
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
PHRASAL VERB
Grammar
- 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
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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