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get in — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb3 meanings
  1. 1 enter or arriveto enter a place, vehicle, or building, or to arrive somewhere, especially after traveling.
  2. 2 be elected or acceptedto be chosen, elected, or accepted for a position, group, or school.
  3. 3 submit (formally)to send or deliver something, especially a document or piece of work, so that it is received by a particular deadline or authority.
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All meanings, in depth

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1

enter or arrive

B1get in to sthMost common

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

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.

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

Common mistake

We got in to the house at ten.

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

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

Tell it apart

I got in really late last night.

arrived home

I got into the car and left.

entered the vehicle
Use 'get in' when talking about entering cars, taxis, or small spaces, or when you arrive somewhere, especially after a journey.'Get on' is used for larger vehicles like buses and trains, while 'get in' is for cars and taxis.

Often paired with

get in + time
2

be elected or accepted

B2get in to sth

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

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.

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

Common mistake

He got in the party at the election.

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

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

Tell it apart

Did you get in?

were you accepted/elected?

Did you get in okay?

did you arrive all right?
Use 'get in' when you succeed in joining a group, winning an election, or being accepted by a school or organization.'Get in' focuses on being accepted or chosen, not just physically entering.

Often paired with

get in (accepted/elected)
3

submit (formally)

C1get sth in to sb/by a deadline

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

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.

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

Common mistake

Did you get in it on time?

Did you get it in on time?

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

Tell it apart

Get your essay in by Friday.

submit it

Get your details in the form.

write them into it
'Get in' is commonly used in professional, academic, or bureaucratic contexts to talk about submitting documents, applications, or assignments before a deadline. It is less formal than 'submit', but more neutral than 'hand in', which is often used in school contexts.Unlike the B1 sense ('enter or arrive'), here 'get in' does not mean physically entering a place, but ensuring that something (such as a document or application) is received by the intended person or organization. It is also distinct from the B2 sense ('be elected or accepted'), as it refers to the act of submission, not acceptance.

Often paired with

get + submission + in

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