take in
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle in
Meanings
Understand and absorb information
Why “in”? Walls close around something. What is in is held inside.
“It was hard to take in all the details.”
“She could not take in the news.”
“I need a moment to take this in.”
Deceive or cheat
Why “in”? Something goes into a system after it was held back, like a form, a story, or pressure.
“We were completely taken in by his story.”
“The fake email took her in.”
“She was taken in by the scam email.”
“Many buyers were taken in by the advert.”
Alter clothing to make smaller
“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
“It was hard to take in all the details.” 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; Remove from inside
bask in
Same in pattern: inside
Take great pleasure in attention, success or warmth
be in
Same in pattern: inside
Be present at home or at work
box in
Same in pattern: inside
Surround tightly with little room
breathe in
Same in pattern: inside
Inhale air
build in
Same in pattern: inside
Include something as a permanent part of a design
buy in
Same in pattern: inside
Purchase a stock of something for use later
cave in
Same in pattern: submission
Yield under pressure
Practice “take in” in Sink In
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