check in
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle in
Meanings
Register at a hotel, airport or event
Why “in”? A person, vehicle, message, or result reaches a place or becomes present there.
“We checked in online before leaving home.”
“They checked in at the hotel.”
“Maya and Leo checked in at the club's guest-list desk.”
“Maya and Leo checked in at the seaside hotel after their train arrived.”
Hand over luggage to be loaded onto a plane
Why “in”? A person or thing enters or remains within a space, limit, activity, or feeling.
“He checked in two suitcases.”
“Maya checked in her backpack.”
Briefly contact someone to update them
“I'll check in with you tomorrow.”
“Leo checked in with his manager during the trip.”
Memory hook
You step in and register your arrival.
Common mistake
I'd like to check-in, please.
I'd like to check in, please.
Check in (two words) is the verb; check-in (hyphen) is the noun, as in the check-in desk.
Natural collocations
The word partners “check in” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Check in means register at a hotel, airport or event. Check out means leave a hotel after paying.
Test yourself
“We checked in online before leaving home.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
check out
A contrast learners often mix up
Leave a hotel after paying; Look at or examine
ask in
Same in pattern: arrival
Invite someone to enter your home
barge in
Same in pattern: arrival
Enter a place rudely without permission
bask in
Same in pattern: inside
Take great pleasure in attention, success or warmth
box in
Same in pattern: inside
Surround tightly with little room
break in
Same in pattern: arrival
Enter a building illegally by force; Interrupt a conversation and begin speaking
bring in
Same in pattern: arrival
Introduce someone or something into a discussion or organisation; Earn money for a person or business; Introduce a new law, system or rule; Deliver a verdict in a court
burst in
Same in pattern: arrival
Enter a place suddenly and forcefully
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “check in”.
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