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Phrasal verbs "take in" vs "take out"

Differences between take in and take out

Take out usually means to remove something from a place or to go somewhere with someone and enjoy a social activity, whereas take in generally means to comprehend, understand, or process information.

Meanings and Definitions: take in vs take out

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Take in

  • 1Absorb information.

    The lecture was rather boring and I didn't TAKE IN much of what the lecturer said.

  • 2Deceive.

    She TOOK me IN with her story until someone told me the truth.

  • 3Make clothes smaller.

    The jacket was far too big around the shoulders, so I had it TAKEN IN so that I could wear it.

  • 4Assume care or support.

    The family TOOK IN the three homeless kittens.

Take out

  • 1Borrow a library book.

    I TOOK OUT all the books I needed for my essay from the library.

  • 2Borrow money from a bank or other official lender.

    Jackie and Anil TOOK OUT a mortgage to buy a bigger flat.

  • 3Extract or remove.

    The dentist TOOK OUT all of my wisdom teeth before they started causing any problems.

  • 4Go out socially with someone, especially a date.

    He TOOK her OUT to a restaurant last Friday night.

  • 5Obtain insurance.

    I TOOK OUT some health insurance before I went backpacking around Latin America.

  • 6Kill, murder.

    The gang TOOK him OUT after he spoke to the police.

Usage Examples: take in, take out in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

take in

Example

I always take in new information when I read a good book.

Example

She takes in the information from the lecture quickly.

take out

Example

I always take out the trash after dinner.

Example

She takes out the garbage every morning.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take in

grasp the concept

To understand or comprehend a specific idea or concept.

Example

After reading the article a few times, she finally grasped the concept of quantum physics.

wrap one's mind around

To mentally understand or accept something challenging or complex.

Example

It took him a while to wrap his mind around the complexity of the new software program.

get the hang of

To learn or become accustomed to doing something skillful or complex.

Example

With practice, she started to get the hang of playing the guitar and even wrote her first song.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Take out

remove from consideration

To exclude or eliminate something from being considered or discussed.

Example

Let's remove that idea from consideration since it doesn't align with our project's goals.

exclude from the equation

To omit or disregard something when analyzing a situation or problem.

Example

We need to exclude external factors from the equation to focus on the core issue and solve it effectively.

do away with

To eliminate, abolish, or get rid of something completely.

Example

The company decided to do away with outdated policies to foster a more dynamic work environment.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “in”

Phrasal Verbs with “out”

Differences in take in vs take out: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: take in or take out?

In daily conversation, people use take out more often than take in. This is because take out is used for more daily tasks and routines such as eating out or borrowing something. Take in is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about understanding something. So, while both phrases are used, take out is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of take in and take out

Take in and take out are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of take in and take out

The tone of take in and take out can differ based on context. Take in often carries a thoughtful or surprised tone when related to understanding or hosting, while take out typically has a practical and casual tone, especially when referring to removing objects or ordering food.

take in & take out: Synonyms and Antonyms

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