take in

phrasal verb transitive

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	take in
he/she/it	takes in
present participle	taking in
past tense	took in
past participle	taken in

1
(take in something) to include something
The book takes in the period between 1891 and Lenin’s death.
Synonyms and related words
To include something or someone
include
take in
involve
2
to allow someone to stay in your house or your country
refugees who were taken in during the war
We decided to take in lodgers.
Synonyms and related words
To provide food or accommodation
accommodate
serve
cater
3
to understand and remember something that you hear or read
I’m not sure how much of his explanation she took in.
Synonyms and related words
To remember
remember
recall
think back
Synonyms and related words
To understand something
understand
know
work out
4
usually passiveto trick someone into believing something that is not true
Don’t be taken in by their promises.
Synonyms and related words
To cheat or trick someone
shanghai
rip off
deceive
5
to make a piece of clothing more narrow or tight, so that it fits you
Synonyms and related words
To sew, or to sew something
sew
mend
stitch
6
to accept something as real or true
He still hasn’t really taken in his father’s death.
Synonyms and related words
To believe or accept that something is true or exists
think
believe in
suppose
7
to spend time looking at something
We sat there taking in the scenery.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to look or not look
look around
look at
look
8
(take in something) to do work for someone else in your home
She has started taking in ironing.
Synonyms and related words
To work, and to work in a particular way
work
serve
collaborate
9
(take in something) mainly Americanto go to an entertainment or sport
We took in a couple of films.
Synonyms and related words
Audiences
audience
box office
bums on seats
Synonyms and related words
To watch someone or something
surveille
watch
observe