"Cooped up" is an idiom commonly used to describe a situation where someone is confined or restricted in a small or unpleasant space for a long time. It can also express the feeling of boredom, frustration, or restlessness that results from being in such a situation.

In short:

• It means being trapped or limited in a small or unpleasant space for a long time.
• It can also describe the feeling of being bored, frustrated, or restless.

What Does "Cooped Up" Mean?

"Cooped up" is often used to describe a situation of someone forced to stay in a small or unpleasant space for a long time without much choice or change. It can also express the boredom and frustration caused by such a situation.

Some related expressions that have similar meanings to "cooped up" are:

• to be caged in
• to be boxed in
• to be stuck in a rut
• to have a cabin fever

Where Does "Cooped Up" Come From?

The idiom "cooped up" comes from the noun "coop," which means a small cage or enclosure for keeping poultry or other animals. The phrase "cooped up" was first used in the late 16th century to describe the condition of animals kept in coops for slaughter or transport. Through the years, it was also applied to imprisoned or enslaved humans.

Historical Example

One of the earliest examples of the phrase "cooped up" in print is from William Shakespeare's play Henry VI, Part 2 (1594), where he writes:

"And now art thou cursed from my sight, That by my sight thou never mayst return, Unless thou bring with thee my daughter's head, For whom even now my heart doth bleed within; And thou (poor bird) as weak as ever flew, Art cooped up here within these four bare walls"

10 Examples of "Cooped Up" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use this idiom in different sentences:

• He was cooped up in his office day in and day out, working on a deadline.
• The kids were restless after being cooped up in the car for a long road trip.
• That's too bad. The prisoners were cooped up in a dark cell without ventilation.
• The chickens were still cooped up in small cages, waiting to be sold or slaughtered.
• She had been cooped up in the hospital for weeks, recovering from a serious surgery.
• I can't bear being cooped up in this tiny apartment all day. I need to bask in the sun!
• She felt cooped up by her strict parents, who never let her go downtown with her friends.
• Oh, snap. She was cooped up by her fear of flying, which prevented her from traveling abroad.
• Real talk: He has always hated being cooped up in the classroom and listening to boring lectures.
• It's been years, and he felt cooped up in his hometown, where nothing ever changed or happened.

Examples of "Cooped Up" in Pop Culture

Here are some examples of how this idiom has been used in various forms of popular culture:

• "Cooped Up" is a song by Post Malone featuring Roddy Ricch, released on May 12, 2022, as the second single from his fourth studio album, Twelve Carat Toothache. The song is a pop-rap track that describes Post Malone's comeback to the music scene after a long hiatus and how he feels "cooped up" in his lavish lifestyle.
• In the movie The Shining, Jack Torrance and his family are "cooped up" in an isolated hotel for the winter, where he descends into madness and tries to murder them.
• In the video game The Last of Us, Joel and Ellie are "cooped up" in a quarantine zone, where they have to escape from the oppressive military and infected zombies.
• In the comic book Watchmen, Rorschach is "cooped up" in a prison cell, where he continues his investigation of a conspiracy that threatens the world.
• In the anime Attack on Titan, Eren and his friends are "cooped up" in a walled city, fighting against giant human-eating monsters.

Synonyms: Other/Different Ways to Say "Cooped Up"

Here are some synonyms for "cooped up":

• Shut in
• Limited
• Isolated
• Trapped
• Confined
• Locked up
• Restricted
• Imprisoned

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Cooped Up"

Here are some frequently asked questions about this idiom:

• What does "cooped up" mean?

"Cooped up" is an idiom commonly used to describe a situation where someone is confined or restricted in a small or unpleasant space for a long time.

• What is the origin of the term "cooped up"?

The idiom "cooped up" comes from the noun "coop," which means a small cage or enclosure for keeping poultry or other animals. The phrase "cooped up" was first used in the late 16th century to describe the condition of animals kept in coops for slaughter or transport. Through the years, it was also applied to imprisoned or enslaved humans.

• What are some synonyms for "cooped up" in other languages?

In Spanish: encerrado, atrapado, confinado
In French: enfermé, coincé, confiné
In German: eingesperrt, gefangen, eingeschlossen

• Is "cooped up" a positive or negative expression?
  

"Cooped up" is usually a negative expression that implies dissatisfaction, discomfort, or unhappiness with one's situation or environment.

• What is the difference between "cooped up" and "locked up"?

"Cooped up" and "locked up" are both idioms that mean being confined or restricted in a small or unpleasant space for a long time. However, "locked up" usually implies that someone is imprisoned or detained by someone else, such as the police, the government, or a kidnapper. "Cooped up" can mean being imprisoned, but it can also mean being confined by one’s circumstances or limitations.

• What are some antonyms for "cooped up"?

Some antonyms for "cooped up" are free, liberated, released, unrestricted, open, spacious, and comfortable.

• How do you pronounce "cooped up"?

You can pronounce "cooped up" as /kuːpt ʌp/ in American English or /kuːpt ʌp/ in British English.

• Is "cooped up" a formal or informal expression?

"Cooped up" is an informal expression more suitable for casual or conversational contexts. It is not appropriate for formal or academic writing or speaking.

• How do you spell "cooped up"?

You can spell "cooped up" as two words with a hyphen between them: "cooped-up."

• How do you use "cooped up" in a comparative or superlative sentence?

You can use "cooped up" in a comparative or superlative sentence by adding words like more, less, most, or least before it.

Example: This is the most cooped up I've ever been in my life!

Final Thoughts About "Cooped Up"

The idiom "cooped up" is a common and useful expression that can describe various situations and feelings of being confined or restricted in a small or unpleasant space for a long time. It can also convey the boredom, frustration, or restlessness resulting from such a situation.

More key points to remember about the idiom:

• It has some antonyms that have opposite meanings.
• It has some related expressions that have similar purposes.
• It is an informal expression that is more suitable for casual or conversational contexts.
• It can be used as an adjective or a verb phrase to describe someone or something "cooped up."