she is cornered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she is cornered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone feels trapped or has no way to escape from a difficult circumstance. Example: "In the heated debate, she felt cornered and struggled to defend her position against the relentless questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At 13 she is cornered by her shotgun-wielding father, the eponymous gravedigger, who has killed a man and blown his wife into a headless heap inside their hovel near the cemetery gates.

The New York Times

Aki is searching for the sixth spirit in the ruins of New York City when she is cornered by Phantoms but is rescued by Gray Edwards Alec Baldwinn) and his squad "Deep Eyes", consisting of Ryan Whittaker (Ving Rhames), Neil Fleming (Steve Buscemi and Jane Proudfoott (Peri Gilpin).

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Before she could admire his works, she was cornered by a camera crew for a local show called "Vogue TV".

The New York Times

The Britain's Got Talent judge claims she was cornered by the unnamed comic at a public event, during a period when she was patching up her marriage to Les Dennis after an affair with Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrissey.

The Guardian

Shortly after she showed up for this morning's caucus meeting at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, she was cornered by Ms. Herman, one of the Gore campaign's leading emissaries to black Democrats.

The New York Times

Now, confirming that she's cornered the market when it comes to unassuming but distinctly dangerous, creepy female protagonists, Lane's new novel, Her, is a powerful follow-up.

The Guardian - Books

She was cornered by one of life's most dangerous predators -- the Crashing Bore.

HuffPost

This, in a way, is more vicious; they threatened to take her out of her wheelchair, put impediments in her path so she was cornered.

Vice

According to the report, she was cornered between a marble screen and revolving door by four Asian men and a white man.

Vice

It was a bold -- and very relevant -- point to make; that just because she's a mom and drives a van to soccer games doesn't mean she's cornered the market on real life.

Huffington Post

Vanessa Juarez of Entertainment Weekly commented that Bell's roles on Veronica Mars, Heroes and as a Star Wars fanatic in Fanboys have "solidif[ied] her placement at the center of the geek universe", while Rodney Rothman stated, "I guess she's cornered the market on losers".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she is cornered" to vividly describe a situation where someone is trapped or facing inescapable pressure. It's particularly effective in narratives to build tension or depict vulnerability.

Common error

Avoid using "she is cornered" excessively in formal or professional writing, as it can sometimes sound overly dramatic. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "she is facing challenges" or "she is in a difficult situation" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she is cornered" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, portraying the state of being trapped or without viable options. Examples from Ludwig show this usage in both literal and figurative contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she is cornered" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone in a trapped or pressured situation. Ludwig AI indicates its acceptability and the provided examples illustrate its use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While not overly formal, it's advisable to use it judiciously in professional settings, considering less dramatic alternatives where appropriate. The phrase evokes a sense of vulnerability and constraint, effectively conveying the feeling of being without easy solutions or escape. Related alternatives include "she is trapped" or "she is backed into a corner", offering similar meanings with subtle variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she is trapped

Emphasizes the lack of physical or metaphorical escape.

she is backed into a corner

Highlights the process of being forced into a disadvantageous position.

she is in a bind

Indicates a difficult situation or predicament.

she is in a tight spot

Similar to being in a bind, but can imply immediate pressure.

she is up against the wall

Conveys a sense of desperation and limited options.

she has her back to the wall

Similar to "up against the wall", stressing the lack of retreat.

she is checkmated

Figuratively means she is in a position with no escape, drawing from the chess term.

she is at an impasse

Highlights the lack of progress and inability to move forward.

she is in a deadlock

Similar to impasse, suggesting a standstill.

she is stymied

Indicates being blocked or prevented from making progress.

FAQs

What does "she is cornered" mean?

The phrase "she is cornered" means that someone is in a situation where they feel trapped or have no easy way out. It implies pressure and a lack of options.

What can I say instead of "she is cornered"?

You can use alternatives like "she is trapped", "she is backed into a corner", or "she is in a bind" depending on the specific context.

Is "she is cornered" formal or informal?

"She is cornered" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from alternatives that sound less dramatic.

How can I use "she is cornered" in a sentence?

You can use "she is cornered" to describe a character's situation in a story, a person's position in an argument, or a company's predicament in a competitive market. For example, "Facing mounting debts, she felt like she was cornered with no way to repay them."