Meaning trap
take in
deceive
to trick or deceive someone so that they believe something that is not true
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to trick or deceive someone so that they believe something that is not true
Another meaning of 'take in' is 'understand or absorb'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
She was completely taken in by the scam and lost a lot of money.
Some people are easily taken in by advertisements that make false promises.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He took in me with his story.
Say: I was taken in by his story.
Usually passive — 'be taken in BY' someone or something.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Be taken in' is the natural way to say you were fooled; 'deceived by his false promises' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
be taken in + by
- by the scam
- by his charm
- completely
- by a con artist
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- take in (understand or absorb) — Another meaning of 'take in' is 'understand or absorb'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.