pin down

precisar, determinar

Averiguar o decidir con exactitud qué es algo.

En inglés sencillo: To find or decide exactly what something is.

• We cannot pin down the cause.
• They finally pinned down a date for the meeting.
• Can you pin down what feels wrong?

Cómo se usa: pin something down (We need to pin the exact cause down.)

Sinónimos: identify, establish, determine

Expresiones frecuentes: pin down details, pin down something, pin down dates

arrancar una respuesta concreta

Conseguir que alguien dé una respuesta clara o se comprometa a algo concreto.

En inglés sencillo: To make someone give a clear answer or agree to something definite.

• Can you pin him down on a price?
• The reporter pinned her down on her plans.
• We finally pinned the supplier down to a delivery date.

Cómo se usa: pin someone down on something (We pinned the builder down on a final price.); pin someone down to something (Can you pin her down to a definite date?)

Sinónimos: press, get a commitment from

Expresiones frecuentes: pin down someone, pin down suppliers

inmovilizar de espaldas

Mantener a alguien boca arriba con ambos hombros contra el suelo, especialmente en lucha.

En inglés sencillo: To hold someone on their back with both shoulders touching the ground, especially in wrestling.

• Try to pin down your opponent.
• She pinned him down with both shoulders on the mat.
• He struggled as the stronger wrestler pinned him down.

Cómo se usa: pin someone down (The wrestler pinned his opponent down on the mat.)

Sinónimos: pin

Expresiones frecuentes: pin down someone, pin down opponents

sujetar con alfileres

Mantener algo en su sitio usando pequeños alfileres metálicos.

En inglés sencillo: To hold something in place with small metal pins.

• Pin down the tablecloth.
• She pinned down the paper pattern before cutting the fabric.
• Have you pinned the loose edges down?

Cómo se usa: pin something down (Pin the cloth down before cutting it.)

Sinónimos: pin, fasten, secure

Expresiones frecuentes: pin down fabric, pin down something