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Phrasal Verbs 2 min read Published January 2025 10 learners asked about this

What does "fit in" mean?

Two main meanings:1. To belong; to be accepted by a group:"She found it hard to fit in at her new school.""He doesn't really fit in with the rest of the team.""It took a few months, but I started to fit in."2. To find time for something:"Can you fit in a meeting tomorrow?""I'm trying to fit in so...

Two main meanings

1. To belong; to be accepted by a group

"She found it hard to fit in at her new school."
"He doesn't really fit in with the rest of the team."
"It took a few months, but I started to fit in."

2. To find time for something

"Can you fit in a meeting tomorrow?"
"I'm trying to fit in some exercise this week."
"I'll fit you in at 3pm." (find a slot for you)

What it implies (meaning 1)

Social acceptance - sharing values, style, or behaviour with those around you. Not fitting in implies feeling like an outsider.

Separable (meaning 2)

"Fit in the appointment." βœ“ / "Fit the appointment in." βœ“ / "Fit it in." βœ“
Not separable (meaning 1) - "fit in" here is intransitive.

A native would say

  • "Belong" - meaning 1, more literary
  • "Click with" - informal: "She clicked with the team straight away."
  • "Find room for" - meaning 2

In schools/workplaces

"Fitting in" is a major social concern - learning the culture, humour, and norms of a new environment.

Frequently asked

What does "fit in" mean?

Social acceptance - sharing values, style, or behaviour with those around you. Not fitting in implies feeling like an outsider.

What's another way to say "fit in"?

  • "Belong" - meaning 1, more literary
  • "Click with" - informal: "She clicked with the team straight away."
  • "Find room for" - meaning 2
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