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

  • (..) He writes reviews. And, uh, in his spare time this guy even writes hate columns. Does he have a record? He's pretty clean. Been trying to pin something to him, but it doesn't work. Trust me. He's behind all of it. He runs everything out of his house down by the beach. RASMUSSEN: (..)
    1998 American History X