Phrasal verb
take in
Meanings
to understand or absorb information; to grasp the meaning of something
to look at and notice something carefully; to absorb a scene or experience
to allow someone to stay in your home and care for them temporarily
Definition
To take in is to understand or absorb information.
To take in often means to understand or fully notice something you see, hear, or experience. It can also mean to absorb information, especially when there is a lot at once. In some contexts, it means to accept someone into your home or care for them.
Examples
- I couldn’t take in what the teacher said because the room was too noisy.
- You should take in the view before we head back down the trail.
- He took in his niece for a week while her parents were away.
- She read the instructions twice to take in every step.
- They were so surprised that they couldn’t take in the news at first.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse take in (understand/absorb) with take off (remove/leave the ground) and use the wrong phrasal verb.
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.