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get in — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings
get in
enter or arrivebe elected or acceptedsubmit (formally)

Meaning 1 · most common

enter or arrive

  • get in to sth
A scene showing “get in” meaning “enter a car or place”.

to enter a place, vehicle, or building, or to arrive somewhere, especially after traveling.

How oftenVery common
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

What time did you get in last night?

A: Hurry up, get in the car! We're going to be late.
B: I'm coming, just grabbing my bag.

Common mistake

Not: We got in to the house at ten.

Say: We got in at ten. / got into the house at ten.

Bare 'get in' = arrive; to name the place use 'get into the house'.

More on “enter or arrive”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

I usually get in around 7 p.m. after work, so I have time to relax before dinner.

Tell it apart

I got in really late last night.

  • arrived home

I got into the car and left.

  • entered the vehicle

Goes with

  • get in + time
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Next meaning: be elected or accepted

Meaning 2

be elected or accepted

  • get in to sth
A scene showing “get in” meaning “be accepted or chosen”.

to be chosen, elected, or accepted for a position, group, or school.

How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

She worked hard and finally got in to her dream university.

A: Did you hear? Tom got in to the football team!
B: That's awesome! He really deserved it.

Common mistake

Not: He got in the party at the election.

Say: He got in at the election. / The party got in.

For winning office, use bare 'get in' — don't add the place like that.

More on “be elected or accepted”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I get in to the program, I’ll have a great opportunity to study abroad and improve my skills.

Tell it apart

Did you get in?

  • were you accepted/elected?

Did you get in okay?

  • did you arrive all right?

Goes with

  • get in (accepted/elected)
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Next meaning: submit (formally)

Meaning 3

submit (formally)

  • get sth in to sb/by a deadline
A scene showing “get in” meaning “hand in before the deadline”.

to send or deliver something, especially a document or piece of work, so that it is received by a particular deadline or authority.

How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Please make sure you get your expense reports in by the end of the week.

A: Have you finished your scholarship application yet?
B: Almost! I just need to get it in before the midnight deadline.

Common mistake

Not: Did you get in it on time?

Say: Did you get it in on time?

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'get it in'.

More on “submit (formally)”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Candidates must get their essays in no later than Friday to be considered for the competition.

Tell it apart

Get your essay in by Friday.

  • submit it

Get your details in the form.

  • write them into it

Goes with

  • get + submission + in
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enter or arrivebe elected or acceptedsubmit (formally)