bail up

To stop someone and keep talking to them, especially when they want to leave.

• He bailed me up for a chat.
• Our neighbor always bails visitors up at the gate.
• I was late because a colleague bailed me up.

How to use it: bail someone up (A neighbor bailed me up outside the shop.)

Similar words: buttonhole, corner

Common phrases: bail up someone, bail up colleagues

To prevent a person or animal from escaping by surrounding them or threatening to attack.

• The dogs bailed up a wild pig.
• An armed man bailed him up in the alley.
• The hunter found a deer bailed up by dogs.

How to use it: bail someone/something up (The dogs bailed the boar up against a fence.)

Similar words: corner, hold at bay

Opposites: release

Common phrases: bail up someone, bail up animals

To hold a cow in a frame so it cannot move, usually for milking.

• We bail up the cows for milking.
• The farmer bailed up the nervous cow.
• Have you bailed the cattle up yet?

How to use it: bail something up (The farmer bailed the cow up before milking.)

Similar words: confine, restrain

Opposites: release

Common phrases: bail up cattle, bail up something

To force someone to give you their money or belongings.

• They bailed him up and took his wallet.
• The gang bailed up travelers on the road.
• She told police that someone had bailed her up.

How to use it: bail someone up (Two armed men bailed him up near the station.)

Similar words: rob, hold up

Common phrases: bail up someone, bail up travelers

If clay or broken rock does this, it collects around a drill and blocks it.

• The clay began to bail up.
• Loose rock bailed up around the drill.
• Does this material bail up during drilling?

How to use it: bail up around something (Wet clay can bail up around the drill bit.)

Similar words: accumulate, build up

Common phrases: bail up underground, bail up badly