hem in

Other forms: hemmed in; hemming in; hems in

Definitions of hem in

1. verb

   surround in a restrictive manner
   “The building was hemmed in by flowers”

   types:

   hedge

   hinder or restrict with or as if with a hedge

   type of:

   border, environ, ring, skirt, surround

   extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
2. verb

   surround so as to force to give up
   synonyms: beleaguer, besiege, circumvent, surround

   types:

   blockade, seal off

   impose a blockade on

   ebb

   hem in fish with stakes and nets so as to prevent them from going back into the sea with the ebb

   type of:

   assail, attack

   launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with