a structure made of bars or wires, used for confining and displaying birds or animals, an enclosure for prisoners

rattle someone's cage, lock the stable door after the horse has bolted, fly the coop

golden cage, bird in a gilded cage, put someone in a cage

Formal and Informal Expressions of cage

In different contexts, you can replace 'cage' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'enclosure, pen' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'lockup, clink' is a commonplace synonym.

cage: Explore its Definition & Usage

cage Definition

1a structure made of bars or wires, used for confining and displaying birds or animals
2an enclosure for prisoners

Using cage: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cage" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The lion was pacing back and forth in its cage.
Example
The bird was kept in a small cage.
Example
The prisoners were locked up in their cages.
Example
The circus had a traveling menagerie with exotic animals in cages.

cage Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for cage

Antonyms for cage

Idioms Using cage

rattle someone's cage
to upset or provoke someone
Example
His comments really rattled her cage and she stormed out of the room.
lock the stable door after the horse has bolted
to take action to prevent something bad from happening after it has already happened
Example
The company implemented new security measures after the data breach, but it was like locking the stable door after the horse had bolted.
fly the coop
to escape or leave a place, especially one that is confining or unpleasant
Example
After months of being stuck at home, she finally decided to fly the coop and take a solo road trip.

Phrases with cage

golden cage
a situation in which someone is trapped by their own wealth or success and cannot escape it
Example
She felt like she was living in a golden cage, unable to pursue her true passions.
bird in a gilded cage
a person who is trapped in a luxurious but confining lifestyle
Example
Despite her wealth and status, she felt like a bird in a gilded cage, unable to break free from societal expectations.
put someone in a cage
to restrict someone's freedom or limit their opportunities
Example
The strict rules of the school put the students in a cage, preventing them from exploring their creativity.

Origins of cage

from Old French 'cage', from Latin 'cavea', meaning 'hollow place, enclosure'

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Summary: cage in Brief

A 'cage' [keɪdʒ] is a structure made of bars or wires used to confine and display birds or animals, or an enclosure for prisoners. It can also be used figuratively, as in 'golden cage,' to describe a luxurious but confining lifestyle. Idioms like 'rattle someone's cage' and 'lock the stable door after the horse has bolted' use 'cage' metaphorically to describe upsetting or futile situations.