What are the definitions of “get in”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Arrange for someone to do a job in your home, workplace, etc.
The air conditioning has broken down; we'll have to GET a technician IN to fix it.
- 2Arrive ( train, plane, etc. ).
Her plane GETS IN at 2am our time.
- 3Arrive home.
She didn't GET IN till well after twelve o'clock because she'd been out for a few drinks with her mates.
- 4Enter a car or taxi.
The taxi pulled up and we GOT IN.
- 5Buy or obtain supplies, like food.
We need to GET some coffee IN; we're completely out.
- 6Arrive at work, school, home.
I GOT IN late today because the train broke down.
- 7Enter a building or place.
I borrowed her pass to GET IN.
- 8Be elected.
The government GOT IN with a very small majority.
- 9Manage to say or do.
I couldn't GET a word IN throughout the meeting.
- 10Be admitted to a university, club, etc.
He did badly in the entrance exam and didn't GET IN.
- 11Bring inside a place.
It's raining; I'd better GET the washing IN.
- 12Submit, apply.
We have to GET the forms IN by the end of this week.
- 13Pay for drinks.
He GOT the drinks IN.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “get in”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb get in is to enter a place, such as a building, car, or taxi. For example, it can mean arriving home, entering a car, or going inside a building.
What are the different verb forms of “get in”?
| Root Verb | get in |
| Third Person Singular Present | gets in |
| Present Participle | getting in |
| Simple Past | got in |
| Past Participle | gotten in |
Example
I always get in the car from the passenger side.
Example
She gets in the taxi and goes to the airport.
Example
He is getting in the house through the back door.
Example
Yesterday, they got in the building using a key card.
Example
The cat had gotten in through an open window.
What kind of phrasal verb is “get in”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“get in” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
She got in late last night.
Example
The train got in at 5 pm.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“get in” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She got in late last night.
Example
The train got in at 5 pm.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “get in”?
Good things to know
Does “get in” have an informal or formal tone?
Get in is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can be used in both casual and formal settings, depending on the context. For example, when discussing arriving at work or school, it can have a more formal tone. However, in most cases, get in is considered an informal phrasal verb used in everyday speech.
