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Glite Dictionary
to wall in

to wall in

7 5.8
To build a barrier around something to keep people in or keep others out
  • phrasal verb
  • /wɔl ɪn/
translation icon : encerrar
  • We can build a wall in Austin and have two capitals.

Examples

  • Excavations have shown that the owners erected a retaining wall in an attempt to control the runoff.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The builders will wall in the garden to protect it from wild animals.

  • They decided to wall in the playground to keep the children safe.

  • In the new design, they plan to wall in the patio with a high fence.

Synonyms

to close in
vsto wall in
119 4.6

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

describes built enclosure rather than approaching movement from outside
to enclose
vsto wall in
84 3.7

Surround something completely, often with a wall or fence

specifies building a solid constructed barrier rather than any kind
to barricade
vsto wall in
42 4.8

To stop people from entering a place by putting up a barrier

implies permanent constructed enclosure rather than temporary blocking
to wall
vsto wall in
41 6.4

To surround an area with a wall to protect it

focuses on enclosing by construction rather than defensive purpose
to fence
vsto wall in
19 2.4

To put a barrier around land to mark or protect it

involves solid heavy built barriers rather than simple posts or rails
to hem in
vsto wall in
6 6.7

Surround a person or thing so they cannot leave

focuses on constructing physical barriers rather than tight proximity
to fence off
vsto wall in
4 3.7

Surround an area with a fence to stop people from entering

implies building continuous heavy barriers rather than temporary separation
to wall up
vsto wall in
3 6.1

Close an opening by building a wall across it

is used to enclose broadly rather than only sealing openings
to fence in
vsto wall in
3 3.0

To surround an area with a barrier to keep others out

uses heavier permanent construction instead of a lighter enclosing barrier
to brick up
vsto wall in
2 5.2

To close an opening by building a solid wall of blocks

focuses on surrounding by construction rather than sealing single openings
to cage in
vsto wall in
2 5.4

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

is about building surrounding structures rather than small enclosures
to brick in
vsto wall in
1 7.0

To close an opening by building a wall of bricks across it

is usually about surrounding rather than only blocking openings
to brick over
vsto wall in
1 6.7

To close an opening like a door or window by building a brick wall across it

is used for surrounding or enclosing objects rather than covering openings
to walled
vsto wall in
4.1

To build a wall around something to protect or separate it

refers to the action in general rather than a completed state
to rail in
vsto wall in
6.7

To surround a place with rails or a fence for protection

describes stronger built enclosures rather than low post boundaries
to hedge in
vsto wall in
5.8

Surround a place or person so they cannot move freely

refers to constructed hard barriers rather than living plant boundaries
to shut in
vsto wall in
5.1

Surround something completely so it cannot get out or move

adds the idea of blocking exit more strongly than simple construction
to barricado
vsto wall in
  • Archaic
9.9

To block a place with things to stop people from entering

is more about full surrounding construction than short defensive barriers

Antonyms

to release
∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

to liberate
104 4.3

Set someone free from prison or unfair control

How Enclosed

to entomb
11 8.1
to seal off
47 3.9
to wall in
7 5.8
to enclose
84 3.7
to surround
∞ 1.7

Surface Forms

wall in infinitive
walling in present participle
walls in third person singular
walled in past
walled in past participle

Morphology

wall + in

The meaning is directly built from 'wall' used as a verb (to enclose/fortify with a wall) plus 'in' indicating being inside boundaries, so a listener can compositionally infer 'to enclose someone/something by building a wall around them.' This verb + preposition pattern is transparent and common (cf. 'fence in'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Wall in comes from the simple picture of building a wall around something and putting it in a closed space. That's why it means 'to enclose' or 'to feel trapped'.