move in

phrasal verb·3 senses·particle in

Meanings

1

Start living in a new home

Why “in”? You reach a place and become present there. The train gets in, you check in, or the news comes in.

They moved in last week.
They started living here last week.
A new family moved in next door.
A new family started living next door.
The new neighbours moved in last weekend.
The new neighbours started living there last weekend.
2

Approach in order to take action or attack

Police moved in at dawn.
Police approached and intervened at dawn.
Security moved in when the fight started.
Security approached and intervened when the fight started.
3

Begin a romantic relationship by living together

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

She moved in with her boyfriend.
She started living with her boyfriend.
He moved in with his partner.
He started living with his partner.

Don't confuse with

move inmove out

Move in means start living in a new home. Move out means leave a residence.

move inmove on

Move in means start living in a new home. Move on means change to a new topic, place or job.

Test yourself

They moved in last week. What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

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

Tell it apart

Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “move in”.

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