take in
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle in
Meanings
Understand and absorb information
Why “in”? Something moves inward or becomes hidden. Air enters the body, and ideas or experiences enter the mind.
“There was so much to take in during the first hour.”
“She could not take in the news.”
“I need a moment to take this in.”
“Maya paused so the office team could take in the new project numbers.”
Deceive or cheat
Why “in”? A false story enters someone's mind and makes them believe it.
“We were completely taken in by his story.”
“The fake charity took hundreds of people in.”
“She was taken in by the scam email.”
“Many buyers were taken in by the advert.”
Alter clothing to make smaller
Why “in”? A person or thing enters or remains within a space, limit, activity, or feeling.
“I need to take these jeans in at the waist.”
“She took the dress in at the sides.”
“Could you take this shirt in at the sides?”
Don't confuse with
Take in means understand and absorb information. Take out means remove something from inside.
Test yourself
“There was so much to take in during the first hour.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
take out
A contrast learners often mix up
Remove something from inside; Invite someone to go somewhere socially; Borrow from a library
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
breathe in
Same in pattern: absorption
Inhale air
chain in
Same in pattern: inside
Hold someone or something in place using chains
check in
Same in pattern: inside
Register at a hotel, airport or event; Hand over luggage to be loaded onto a plane; Briefly contact someone to update them
close in
Same in pattern: inside
Surround so escape becomes harder
crowd in
Same in pattern: inside
Move into a small space in large numbers
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