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fence off

B1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To put a fence around a piece of land so people or animals can't get in or out.

Literal meaning: To push something away using a fence.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To surround or separate a piece of land or an area with a fence to restrict access.

"The construction company fenced off the site to keep the public away from the machinery."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To create a separate section within a larger area using a fence or barrier.

"They fenced off a corner of the yard for the chickens."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 idiomatic formal

(Figurative) To keep something separate or protected from outside influence or interference.

"The government tried to fence off certain policy areas from public debate."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Used in both literal (physical fencing) and figurative (keeping something separate/protected) contexts. Common in British and American English alike. Often used in passive constructions: 'the area was fenced off'.

Commonly used with

area land field section property garden

Forms

Base
fence off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fences off
he/she/it
Past simple
fenced off
yesterday
Past participle
fenced off
have + pp
-ing form
fencing off
continuous

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