box
Container with flat sides
A container with flat sides, often made of cardboard or wood, used to hold things.
a [cardboard/wooden/plastic] box
- She put the books into a cardboard box.
- The gift came in a small wooden box.
- He found an old box full of photographs.
- Please open the box carefully.
- The shoes were still in their original box.
- I have a big box in my room.
- The toys are in the box.
- He opens the box slowly.
- This box is heavy.
- We put the apples in the box.
Put into a box
To put something into a box.
to box [something] up
- They boxed up all the clothes for donation.
- Please box these dishes before moving them.
- The factory workers boxed the products quickly.
- He boxed the cookies to give as a gift.
- I will box the toys now.
- She boxes the books for moving.
- We need to box the food.
- He boxed the shirts for sale.
Fight in boxing sport
To fight someone in the sport of boxing using gloves.
to box against [someone]
- He has been boxing since he was twelve.
- They will box for the championship next month.
- She boxed against some of the best fighters in the world.
- I want to box when I am older.
- He can box very well.
- They will box tomorrow night.
- She learns how to box at the gym.
Marked area in sports
A marked space on the field or court used for certain actions in sports.
- The ball was kicked into the penalty box.
- He waited inside the six-yard box for the pass.
- The referee pointed to the penalty spot inside the box.
- The player runs into the box.
- He scores from inside the box.
- She stands in the penalty box.
- Base: box
- Plural: box, boxes
- Base: box
- 3rd Person Singular: boxes
- Present Participle: boxing
- Past: boxed
box in
2Restrict movement by surrounding closely
To stop someone from moving by putting things very close around them.
- My car was boxed in by two trucks.
- The protesters boxed in the police van.
box up
1Pack into a box for storage/transport
To put things into a box so you can move or store them.
- We need to box up these clothes before we move.
- She boxed up all her old books.
in the box
3Inside a container or space called a box
Inside a container with flat sides, usually square or rectangular.
- The tools are in the box under the table.
- I found an old watch in the box.
think outside the box
4Think creatively or unconventionally
To think of new and different ideas, not just usual ones.
- We need to think outside the box to solve this problem.
- Her design shows she can think outside the box.
tick all the boxes
1meet every requirement
To have all the things that are needed or wanted for a particular purpose.
- This job ticks all the boxes for me.
- The job ticks all the boxes for me: good pay, short hours, and a friendly team.
- The plan ticks all the boxes for success.
- This hotel really ticks all the boxes for a family holiday.
- Her CV ticks all the boxes the company is looking for.