driven into a corner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven into a corner" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone feels trapped or has no good options left. Example: "After the intense negotiations, I felt like I was driven into a corner with no way out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"The regime has not been driven into a corner now," Mr. Lavrov said.

The New York Times

"Even a rabbit driven into a corner can turn into a beast," he said.

The Economist

"Even a hare," he said, "when driven into a corner, will turn into a beast".

The New York Times

"Even a rabbit driven into a corner can turn into a beast," he said at the time.

The Economist

After he was brought back to Britain [from Kenya], he felt he was driven into a corner.

The Guardian

"If driven into a corner, as they are now," he said of the North Korean government, "they will bite".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"They have completely driven me into a corner".

The New York Times

In the end, having driven himself into a corner with his theories, it is easier for him to kill the pawnbroker than to admit a flaw in his thinking.

The New York Times - Arts

The need to dominate has separated us and driven many into a corner where competition is more important than cooperation.

Los Angeles Times

But, he continued, "if the U.S. is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue and cannot but reconsider our proceeding to the... summit".

Vice

"If the United States is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue and cannot but reconsider our proceeding to the North Korea-U.S. summit," Kim said.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "driven into a corner" to describe situations where pressure or circumstances severely limit someone's options, forcing them into a defensive or reactive stance. Be mindful of the context; this idiom suggests a significant reduction in agency or freedom of action.

Common error

Avoid using "driven into a corner" when someone still has multiple viable options. The phrase implies a near-complete lack of maneuvering room, not just a difficult choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven into a corner" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI shows it describes a state of being forced into a difficult or inescapable situation, where options are limited or non-existent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "driven into a corner" is a grammatically correct and usable idiom that vividly describes being forced into a difficult situation with limited options. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives like "backed into a corner" or "pushed into a corner" exist, "driven into a corner" specifically emphasizes the forceful reduction of agency or freedom of action. It's important to use this phrase accurately to convey the intended level of constraint.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

backed into a corner

Changes the verb "driven" to "backed", providing a slightly different image but maintaining the core meaning of being forced into a difficult position.

pushed into a corner

Replaces "driven" with "pushed", suggesting external force leading to a confined situation.

painted into a corner

Uses "painted" instead of "driven", offering a metaphorical variation where one's actions create the confining situation.

forced into a tight spot

Substitutes the corner metaphor with the more general term "tight spot", indicating a difficult situation without the visual confinement.

in a bind

A shorter, more direct way of saying someone is in a difficult situation.

up against the wall

A more forceful and aggressive expression conveying a similar sense of being trapped or having no options.

between a rock and a hard place

Describes being caught between two equally unpleasant options.

in a predicament

Uses a more formal term, "predicament", to describe a difficult or unpleasant situation.

at an impasse

Focuses on the idea of being stuck in a situation where no progress can be made.

left with no alternatives

Shifts the focus to the lack of options, rather than the feeling of confinement.

FAQs

How can I use "driven into a corner" in a sentence?

You can use "driven into a corner" to describe a situation where someone is forced into a difficult position with limited options. For example, "The company was "driven into a corner" by the economic downturn and had to lay off employees".

What's the difference between "driven into a corner" and "backed into a corner"?

"Driven into a corner" and "backed into a corner" are quite similar. "Backed into a corner" implies a more passive movement, while "driven into a corner" suggests a more forceful or aggressive push into that position. They are often interchangeable.

What can I say instead of "driven into a corner"?

You can use alternatives like "backed into a corner", "pushed into a corner", or "in a bind" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "driven into a corner"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Driven into a corner" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where someone is left with very few options.