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remain trapped

[rɪˈmeɪn træpt]
verb phrase
permanecer preso
1. to stay in a confined or stuck position, unable to escape or get out
The miners remain trapped underground after the collapse.
Os mineiros permanecem presos no subsolo após o colapso.
2. to be stuck in a difficult situation with no way out
She felt she would remain trapped in that job forever.
Ela sentia que permaneceria presa naquele emprego para sempre.
3. to continue being caught or stuck in place
The car will remain trapped in traffic for hours.
O carro permanecerá preso no trânsito por horas.
NYC Slang
stuck in the jam; boxed in
Synonyms
stay trappedremain stuckbe confinedremain imprisonedcontinue entrapped
Antonyms
escapebreak freeget loosebe releasedget unstuck

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
permanecer preso
Most common usage across Brazil
São Paulo
ficar preso
Colloquial alternative, more informal
Rio de Janeiro
continuar preso
Regional variant with similar meaning
Portugal
manter-se aprisionado
More formal European Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

between a rock and a hard place
in a bind
caught between two worlds
stuck between a rock and a hard place
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