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1
belong sociallyTo feel comfortable and accepted in a group or place.
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2
have enough space or timeTo have enough space or time for someone or something.
Spot the meaning
Which one is it?
Read the sentence, then pick the meaning that's in play.
All meanings, in depth
Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.
1
B1fit in with sb/sthMost common
To feel comfortable and accepted in a group or place.
It took me a few weeks to fit in at my new school.
A: How's your new job going?
B: It's good! Everyone is friendly, so I fit in pretty well.
When I moved to a different city, it was hard to fit in at first because I didn't know anyone.
Common mistake
✗It took time to fit in the new team.
✓It took time to fit in with the new team.
To belong in a group, use 'fit in WITH' — bare 'fit in' (no 'with') is about space/time.
Tell it apart
She struggled to fit in with the group.
belong sociallyThe sofa won't fit in the room.
there isn't spaceUse 'fit in' when talking about feeling part of a group, not about clothes or objects.Not the same as 'fit', which is about size or shape.
Often paired with
fit in (with)
To have enough space or time for someone or something.
I can fit you in for an appointment at 3 p.m.
A: Can you see me today?
B: Let me check my schedule... Yes, I can fit you in before lunch.
I try to fit in some exercise every morning, even when I'm busy with work.
Common mistake
✗The doctor can fit in me at 3.
✓The doctor can fit me in at 3.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'fit me in'.
Tell it apart
Can you fit me in this afternoon?
find time/space for meDo you fit in at work?
feel you belong thereUse 'fit in' for scheduling or making room for something, not just about size.Different from 'fit', which usually means to be the right size or shape.
Often paired with
fit in + person/task
Turn this into speaking practice
Practise one meaning at a time and save the ones you mix up for review.