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Glite Dictionary
to shut in

to shut in

5.1
Surround something completely so it cannot get out or move
  • phrasal verb
  • /ʃʌt ɪn/
translation icon : encerrar
  • And so Israel has ordered Chevron to shut in production there.

Examples

  • There you see rivers, as it were, shut in by concave mountains, flowing down through mighty rafters.

    Academic text (1991)

  • We were shut in a small room with movie chairs facing a television screen.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • The cat was shut in the bathroom, unable to escape when the door closed.

  • During the storm, we were shut in the house without power for hours.

  • The puppies were accidentally shut in the garage when we left for the day.

Synonyms

to lock
vsto shut in
∞ 1.0

To fasten something with a key so other people cannot open it

is the wider act of surrounding, not limited to devices that secure
to lock up
vsto shut in
300 4.0

Put someone or something in a place where they cannot leave, for example a jail

covers enclosing in general, not only locked containment
to close in
vsto shut in
119 4.6

Surround or enclose a place by bringing things nearer from all sides

is a static surrounding that stops movement rather than the action of closing
to enclose
vsto shut in
84 3.7

Surround something completely, often with a wall or fence

focuses specifically on wholly enclosing to stop movement or escape
to lock in
vsto shut in
70 3.9

To keep something inside so it cannot escape by closing or locking

is about surrounding without necessarily using locks or seals
to encase
vsto shut in
34 4.9

To cover something completely so nothing can get in or out

is the broader idea of enclosing rather than just coating or covering
to lock away
vsto shut in
32 3.4

Put someone or something somewhere they cannot leave and others cannot reach

is the general surrounding idea rather than moving to out-of-reach places
to close off
vsto shut in
24 3.9

Stop people or vehicles from entering a place

is about enclosing on all sides to stop movement, not just blocking
to cordon off
vsto shut in
20 6.3

Stop people entering or leaving an area by using police and barriers

is the full surrounding to stop movement rather than temporary blocking
to seal in
vsto shut in
15 3.9

Close something tightly so air, water, or flavor cannot escape

means surrounding to stop movement or escape rather than sealing contents
to shut off
vsto shut in
11 4.0

Prevent someone or somewhere from having contact with others

focuses on physical surrounding that prevents escape rather than social isolation
to wall in
vsto shut in
7 5.8

To build a barrier around something to keep people in or keep others out

describes enclosing generally without requiring built vertical barriers
to hem in
vsto shut in
6 6.7

Surround a person or thing so they cannot leave

expresses the same restriction but can be less tight or total
to fence off
vsto shut in
4 3.7

Surround an area with a fence to stop people from entering

is a complete surrounding that prevents movement, not only access control
to seal off
vsto shut in
3 3.7

Close something tightly so nothing can get in or out

is about fully surrounding to prevent movement rather than just blocking access
to shut away
vsto shut in
3 5.5

Keep people and things in a place where they cannot leave or be seen

is narrower, focusing on stopping movement by surrounding or enclosing
to cloister
vsto shut in
3 8.6

To shut someone or yourself away from the outside world

is about physical enclosing to prevent movement rather than general seclusion
to cage in
vsto shut in
2 5.4

To put someone or something into a small space with bars to stop them moving freely

is more general, not limited to metal bars or cage-like spaces
to inclose
vsto shut in
  • Archaic
7.8

Surround something completely on all sides to shut it in

is the common expression for fully enclosing and stopping movement
to mew
vsto shut in
  • Archaic
9.9

To shut someone in a small room and not let them leave

is the modern, neutral phrase for full surrounding and preventing movement

Antonyms

to release
∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

How Enclosed

to imprison
  • Formal
178 4.2
to trap
919 2.6
to shut in
5.1
to enclose
84 3.7
to surround
∞ 1.7

Surface Forms

shut in infinitive
shut in past
shut in past participle
shutting in present participle
shuts in third person singular

Morphology

shut + in

The meaning 'to enclose or confine inside' is directly derivable from combining 'shut' (to close) with the preposition 'in' (inside). This motion/containment composition follows a common verb + particle pattern found across languages and would be predictable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The verb shut in comes from the simple image of closing a door or gate so something is shut in and cannot get out. That's why it means 'to surround something completely so it cannot move or escape'.