English Idiom: Box someone in
Box someone in is an interesting idiom. It relates to a situation in which someone (usually with power) reduces the options and alternatives of another person. By doing this, the dominant person forces the other to take an action.
Let I can give a clear example. Imagine that a company needs to downsize, but they do not want to lay off their employees because if they do, the company will have to pay severance packages.
For this reason, it would be much cheaper for the company if the employees quit. The company, therefore, decides to box in the employees.
First, the company stops paying for worker transportation to and from the office.
Then the company stops paying bonuses.
Finally, the company reduces salaries by a significant amount.
The company has now boxed workers in, and the only option employees have is to quit.
This may be an extreme example, but I think it’s an example many Japanese can either relate to or at least understand.