drive into a corner
drive into a corner
1. Literally, to force someone or something to move into a corner. A noun or pronoun can be used between "drive" and "into." To assert his dominance, the cat drove the kitten into the corner.
2. To force or be forced into a difficult or unpleasant situation that one cannot easily resolve or escape. A noun or pronoun can be used between "drive" and "into." My boss really drove me into a corner when he asked me to fire the CEO's daughter. Scott has been driven into a corner with this mortgage payment that he cannot afford.
See also: corner, drive
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
drive someone into a corner
1. . Lit. to force someone into the place where two walls intersect. They drove him into a corner and captured him there. When he is driven into a corner, he will fight.
2. Fig. to force someone into a position or state where there are few choices and no escape. You have driven me into a corner, so I guess I have to give in. Todd was driven into a corner when everyone disagreed with him.
See also: corner, drive
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- piece out
- not do (someone or oneself) any favors
- back into
- back into (someone or something)
- rescue from
- rescue from (someone or something)
- identify with
- attune to
- ask back
- orient to (something)