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pin

Definition

  • noun: a thin, pointed piece of stiff wire with a rounded head at one end that is used especially for fastening pieces of cloth
  • noun: a piece of solid material (as wood or metal) used especially for fastening things together or as a support by which one thing may be suspended from another
  • verb: to fasten or attach (something) with a pin
  • verb: to fasten, join, or secure with a pin
  • usually used in plural

Examples

  • The soldiers were 'pinned' down by enemy fire. [=the soldiers were unable to move because they were being shot at by the enemy]

  • She's always 'dropping names'. [=saying the names of famous people she knows to try to impress others]

  • Reporters tried to 'pin' him 'down' on the specific changes he wants to make to the tax laws.

Movie quotes

  • (..) You have to react to action and you'll be dropping. I got onto open comms channel, and all the Special Effects guys... ...would pull their pin to my count. So you can't go in rehearsals: "And one, and two, and three, and four." Then shoot, adrenaline takes over, you can't (..)
    2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
  • (..) This was, I think, seven, what they called petals. These petals weigh tons. And they're all meant to drop at different times, okay? Once you pull the pin, the thing is gonna drop. Once it drops, nothing can stop it. This was potentially, you know... ...tons and tons of metal crushing you (..)
    2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey