hedge in
C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To trap or limit someone so they can't move freely or make their own choices.
Literal meaning: To enclose an area or person by planting hedges (bushes) all around them.
Meanings
1 C1 neutral
To surround a person, place, or group physically so that escape or movement is difficult.
"The enemy troops had completely hedged the village in, cutting off all supply routes."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
formal
To restrict someone's freedom of action through rules, conditions, or circumstances.
"The new regulations hedged the company in so tightly that expansion became almost impossible."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Can be used both literally (surrounded by hedges/barriers) and figuratively (restricted by rules, circumstances). The figurative use is more common in formal writing.
Commonly used with
regulations rules restrictions conditions army enemies
Forms
Base
hedge in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hedges in
he/she/it
Past simple
hedged in
yesterday
Past participle
hedged in
have + pp
-ing form
hedging in
continuous
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