hem : Idioms & Phrases


hem and haw

  • verb utter `hems' and `haws'; indicated hesitation
    • He hemmed and hawed when asked to address the crowd
WordNet

hem in

  • verb surround in a restrictive manner
    • The building was hemmed in by flowers
  • verb surround so as to force to give up
    beleaguer; circumvent; surround; besiege.
    • The Turks besieged Vienna
WordNet

hemming-stitch

  • noun a stitch used in sewing hems on skirts and dresses
WordNet

john heming

  • noun English actor who edited the first folio of Shakespeare's plays (1556-1630)
    Heming; John Hemminge; Hemminge.
WordNet

To hem about, around, ∨ in

  • to inclose and confine; to surround; to environ. "With valiant squadrons round about to hem." Fairfax. "Hemmed in to be a spoil to tyranny." Daniel.
Webster 1913

To hem out

  • to shut out. "You can not hem me out of London." J. Webster.
Webster 1913