Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

pin down

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.27 in modern English

Syllables: pin -down
IPA

13

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To attach or secure with pins.

Transitive verb

verb

To identify something (e.g. a decision or plan) clearly or specifically.

Transitive verb

verb

To hold the opponent back-first so both his or her shoulders touch the mat or ground.

Transitive verb

verb

To corner somebody in order to get a firm answer.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Pin down the tablecloth, so it doesn't blow away in the breeze."
"There are approximately 1,000 places on British Railways where wagon brakes must be pinned down before trains proceed over severe falling gradients; the trains have to be brought to a stand for the brakes to be pinned down, and subsequently have again to be stopped for the brakes to be released."
"Something is wrong, but I can't pin it down."
"Let's try to pin him down on a price."

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

pins down (present, singular) pinning down (participle, present) pinned down (participle, past) pinned down (past)

Derived Forms

pindown pindownable unpindownable

Phrases

nail down

Frequently Paired Words

pin nail down pin up tack up

Synonyms

pin peg down nail down narrow down narrow specify pin up trap

Questions

What does pin down mean?: To attach or secure with pins.

How to pronounce pin down

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