Phrase
pin down
确定；明确
to identify or define something precisely
- 1.
To attach or secure with pins.
用大头针固定或固定
- 2.
To identify something (e.g. a decision or plan) clearly or specifically.
清楚或具体地识别某事(如决定或计划)
- 3.
To hold the opponent back-first so both his or her shoulders touch the mat or ground.
将对手背部压住,使其双肩触地
- 4.
To corner somebody in order to get a firm answer.
逼迫某人给出明确答案
逼问；迫使…明确表态；别住；用别针固定；压制（对手）；用大头针固定或固定；清楚或具体地识别某事(如决定或计划)
In use
The police officer managed to pin the suspect down before he could escape.
I tried to pin my friend down on a time for our meeting, but he was too vague.
Scientists are working to pin down the exact source of the contamination.
pin sb down (on sth)
强调迫使某人给出明确回答。
The journalist tried to pin the politician down on his tax policy.
记者试图让政治家就他的税收政策明确表态。
pin down sth/that...
后接名词或从句，表示确定或证实。
Scientists have finally pinned down the cause of the disease.
科学家终于确定了这种疾病的原因。
pin sth down
表示用别针或重物固定。
Connections
Collocations
- pin down a date
- 确定日期
- We need to pin down a date for the meeting.我们需要确定会议的日期。
- pin down a suspect
- 制服嫌疑人
- The police managed to pin down the suspect.警察设法制服了嫌疑人。
- pin down the exact meaning
- 明确具体含义
- It's difficult to pin down the exact meaning of this phrase.很难明确这个短语的具体含义。
Idioms & figurative uses
- pin someone down
- 迫使某人明确表态或做出决定I can't pin him down to a specific date for the meeting.我无法让他明确说出会议的日期。
- pin down something
- 弄清楚，确定（事实或细节）It took the researchers years to pin down the cause of the disease.研究人员花了数年时间才确定这种疾病的病因。
Learner notes
Memory Tip
想象用大头针（pin）把飘浮的想法钉住（down），使其明确说明。
Context & Register
语域：m 常见场景：discussions、negotiations、interviews 通常用于口语和书面语，尤其在需要对方明确表态或确认事实的场合。
Grammar Note
可分开使用；常见搭配：pin sb/sth down
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.