Hem | Mean of hem in English Dictionary

/ˈhɛm/

• Noun
• the edge of a piece of cloth that is folded back and sewn down
1. shorten the hem of the dress/skirt/trousers
• Verb
• to sew down a folded edge of cloth on (something)
1. hem the dress/skirt/trousers
2. The curtains need to be hemmed.
• to surround (someone or something) very closely or in a way that makes movement or escape difficult
1. The town is hemmed in by mountains on all sides.
2. He was hemmed in by reporters as he tried to leave the courthouse.
3. He felt hemmed in by the school's rules. [=he felt that the rules prevented him from acting freely]

• to stop often and change what you are saying during speech because you are not sure of what to say or are trying to avoid saying something
1. The question surprised her and she hemmed and hawed a bit before answering.
• to take a long time before you make a decision about what to do
1. The city council hemmed and hawed for a year before deciding to build the new school.