pin down

verb

1. to force (someone) to make a decision or carry out a promise

2. to define clearly

   he had a vague suspicion that he couldn't quite pin down

3. to confine to a place

   the fallen tree pinned him down

Idioms and Phrases

Fix or establish clearly, as in The firefighters finally were able to pin down the source of the odor . [Mid-1900s]

Force someone to give precise information or opinions, as in The reporter pinned down the governor on the issue of conservation measures . [c. 1700]

Related Words

• cause 
• charge 
• compel 
• demand 
• drag 
• drive 
• impose 
• inflict 
• limit 
• make 
• move 
• oblige 
• order 
• press 
• pressure 
• require 
• restrict 
• urge