pen in
idiom
: to prevent (someone or something) from moving beyond a particular area
The prisoners were penned in by a high fence.
—often used figurativelyShe felt penned in by their relationship.
Examples of pen in in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The judge threw down his pen in visible agitation, rested his head in his hand, and, after Harris parked, ordered him to turn himself into Washtenaw County Jail by 6 p.m.
—
Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024
And as the legal scholars put it, with the precision of a pen in an ink pot.
—Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 8 May 2024
Henney and Wally were visiting friends in Brunswick when someone took the gator from his pen in the early morning hours of April 21, the Wallygator Facebook page posted on Saturday.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 May 2024
Rodríguez’s ability to spin a basketball atop a pen in his mouth led to his being cast in a series of commercials, which piqued his interest in acting and working in front of the camera.
—Max Gao, NBC News, 30 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pen in 
Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024
And as the legal scholars put it, with the precision of a pen in an ink pot.
—Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 8 May 2024
Henney and Wally were visiting friends in Brunswick when someone took the gator from his pen in the early morning hours of April 21, the Wallygator Facebook page posted on Saturday.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 May 2024
Rodríguez’s ability to spin a basketball atop a pen in his mouth led to his being cast in a series of commercials, which piqued his interest in acting and working in front of the camera.
—Max Gao, NBC News, 30 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pen in
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pen in.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Pen in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pen%20in. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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