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to pin down
01
to secure something in place using pins or similar objects
Transitive: to pin down sth
Grammatical Information
Composition
phrasal
Action verb
Regular
Separable
Particle
down
Base verb
pin
Present tense
pin down
3rd person singular
pins down
Present participle
pinning down
Past simple
pinned down
Past participle
pinned down
Examples
The curtains flutter in the wind if they aren't pinned down.
02
to restrict someone or something, limiting their freedom or options
Transitive: to pin down sb/sth
Examples
The bad weather conditions pinned down the team at the base camp.
03
to clarify a particular detail or aspect after precise investigation
Transitive: to pin down a detail or aspect of a problem
Examples
We've run multiple tests, but we still can't pin down the origin of the issue.
04
to pressure someone into being clear, decisive, and specific in their actions or responses
Transitive: to pin down sb
Examples
The journalist tried to pin down the politician on the controversial issue.
05
to determine the exact location of someone or something
Transitive: to pin down location of someone or something
Examples
The detectives were trying to pin down the suspect's whereabouts on the night of the crime.
06
to hold an enemy force in a specific location, making it difficult for them to move or escape by firing at them
Transitive: to pin down an enemy force
Examples
The soldiers managed to pin the enemy troops down in the forest.
