Phrasal verb
check in
Meanings
to arrive and register at a hotel, airport, or event
to contact someone briefly to give an update or make sure everything is okay
to report your arrival or presence to the person in charge, especially at work
Definition
To check in means to arrive and register your details at a hotel, airport, or event.
When you check in, you officially register after you arrive at a place like a hotel, airport, or conference. You may show identification, confirm a booking, or receive a key or boarding pass. People also use it for reporting your arrival or status to someone in charge.
Examples
- I need to check in at the hotel before 3 p.m.
- You can check in online the day before your flight.
- He checked in with his manager when he arrived at the site.
- She checked in to see if her friend got home safely.
- They checked in at the conference desk and picked up their badges.
Common mistake
Learners often say "check in to the hotel" when the usual phrasing is "check in at the hotel" (but "check in to a flight" is also common).
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.