pin down

US /pɪn daʊn/

UK /pɪn daʊn/

1.

to understand or describe something exactly

:

•

It's hard to pin down the exact cause of the problem.

•

I can't quite pin down what's bothering me.

:

identify specify determine ascertain diagnose

2.

to make someone stay in a particular place or prevent them from moving

:

•

The police managed to pin down the suspect in the alley.

•

The heavy rain pinned us down in the cabin for hours.

:

restrain confine trap immobilize hold down

:

pin pins and needles rolling pin bobby pin safety pin on pins and needles down