fit in — belong socially
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To feel comfortable and accepted in a group or place.
Say it like a native
Textbook It was difficult to integrate socially with my new colleagues.
Native It was hard to fit in with my new colleagues.
'Fit in' is the natural verb for belonging in a group; 'integrate socially' is sociology-textbook.
Pattern: fit in (with sb/sth)
In use
- It took me a few weeks to fit in at my new school.relationships
- When I moved to a different city, it was hard to fit in at first because I didn't know anyone.IELTS speaking
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.
Common collocations
fit in (with)— with the others, at school, well, easily
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'fit', which is about size or shape.
Related
- fit in (have enough space or time) — Another meaning of 'fit in' is 'have enough space or time'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.