Verb phrase
/tə bi kəʊnd/
The phrase "to be coned" generally refers to the act of being subjected to a type of traffic control where a vehicle, object, or person is directed or forced into a narrower channel or pathway, often indicated by cones in physical settings. It can also metaphorically refer to being cornered or constrained in a situation.
The phrase is mainly used in specific contexts, such as traffic management or in informal settings. It is not commonly used in everyday spoken or written English, making it less frequent in use overall.
(La zona de construcción requería que todos los conductores fueran dirigidos por conos mientras navegaban por los carriles estrechos.)
During the event, attendees had to be coned so they could safely pass through the crowd.
(Durante el evento, los asistentes tuvieron que ser dirigidos para poder pasar de manera segura a través de la multitud.)
After the car accident, all vehicles involved had to be coned while the police conducted their investigation.
The phrase "to be coned" is not frequently found in idiomatic expressions, but there are a few related terms that include the word "cone" or similar contexts.
(Los detalles del proyecto se mantuvieron bajo un cono de silencio hasta el anuncio oficial.)
Cone of shame: Often a humorous reference to an object put on pets to prevent them from licking wounds.
(El perro tuvo que usar el cono de la vergüenza después de la cirugía.)
Cone of influence: Referring to a range or area affected by a specific factor.
The term "cone" originates from the Latin word conus, which means a three-dimensional geometric shape that tapers smoothly from a flat base to a point called the apex. Its usage in traffic management evolved as traffic cones became a standardized tool to direct or restrict movement in specific areas.