pin down

• • 使(某人)把话讲明白；使(某人)表明态度(或意图)；迫使(某人)履行(某种诺言)：

    We shall have to pin him down to his promise.

    我们将只好迫使他履行诺言。

  • 用摁钉别住，按住：

    The map is pinned down on the wall.

    那张地图被钉在墙上。

  • 使受约束；使固定不动：

    The man was pinned down by a fallen tree.

    那人被一棵倒下的树压住了。

  • 确实证明(事实、情节等)；清清楚楚或毫不含糊地说明；准确说明；解释明白[常用于否定句]：

    I seem to recognize the quotation, but I cannot pin it down to its author.

    这句引文我仿佛见过，但我不能确定它的作者是谁。