come in
phrasal verb·6 senses·particle in
Meanings
Enter a room or building
Why “in”? A person, vehicle, message, or result reaches a place or becomes present there.
“Come in and sit down.”
“The doctor asked me to come in.”
“Sam came in through the side door.”
Arrive at a destination
“The train comes in at six.”
“The ferry came in late.”
Become available, fashionable or in season
Why “in”? In marks the start of an action or change. It can also mean slowly using something new until it feels comfortable.
“Fresh rolls came in just as Leo reached the cafe counter.”
“Strawberries come in in June.”
“Long skirts came in again last year.”
Have a useful function or role
Why “in”? A person, idea, effort, or item becomes part of a group, activity, or plan.
“Where do I come in?”
“This is where the lawyer comes in.”
(of money or income)be received
“Not much money is coming in.”
“Donations came in all week.”
Finish a race in a particular position
“She came in third.”
“Our runner came in second.”
Don't confuse with
Come in means enter a room or building. Come out means be revealed publicly.
Test yourself
“Come in and sit down.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
come out
A contrast learners often mix up
Be revealed publicly
ask in
Same in pattern: arrival
Invite someone to enter your home
barge in
Same in pattern: arrival
Enter a place rudely without permission
blend in
Same in pattern: inclusion
Look or behave like the people around you
break in
Same in pattern: arrival
Enter a building illegally by force; Interrupt a conversation and begin speaking
bring in
Same in pattern: inclusion
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
call in
Same in pattern: arrival
Visit a place briefly, often on the way somewhere; Phone a workplace or radio station; Ask experts or professionals to come and help; Demand the return of money lent
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