fit in

phrasal verb·3 senses·particle in

Meanings

1

Have enough space or time for someone or something

Why “in”? Walls close around something. What is in is held inside.

Can you fit me in tomorrow?
Can you find time for me tomorrow?
Can you fit me in before your last patient?
Can you find time for me before your last patient?
2

Be accepted by a group socially

Why “in”? You step inside the circle. To be in is to belong or take part.

He didn't fit in at school.
He wasn't socially accepted at school.
She fit in with the new team quickly.
She was accepted by the new team quickly.
She quickly fitted in at the new school.
She quickly felt at home and belonged among her classmates at the new school.
3

Match or be compatible with a wider plan

How does this fit in with our strategy?
How does this match our strategy?
The new feature fits in with the plan.
The new feature matches the plan.

Test yourself

Can you fit me in tomorrow? What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

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