take-in

[teyk-in]

noun

Informal.

1. a deception, fraud, or imposition.

take in

verb

1. to comprehend or understand

2. to include or comprise

   his thesis takes in that point

3. to receive into one's house in exchange for payment

   to take in washing

   take in lodgers

4. to make (an article of clothing, etc) smaller by altering seams

5. to include

   the tour takes in the islands as well as the mainland

6. informal,  to cheat or deceive

7. to go to; visit

   let's take in a movie tonight

noun

1. informal,  the act or an instance of cheating or deceiving

Word History and Origins

Origin of take in¹

First recorded in 1770–80; noun use of verb phrase take in

Idioms and Phrases

Admit, receive as a guest or employee, as in They offered to take in two of the orphaned children . [First half of 1500s]

Reduce in size, make smaller or shorter, as in I've lost some weight so I'll have to take in my clothes . [Early 1500s]

Include or constitute, as in This list takes in all the members, past and present . [Mid-1600s]

Understand, as in I couldn't take in all that French dialogue in the movie . [Second half of 1600s]

Deceive, swindle, as in That alleged fundraiser took me in completely . [First half of 1700s]

Look at thoroughly, as in We want to take in all the sights . [First half of 1700s]

Accept work to be done at home, as in His grandmother took in washing to support her children . [First half of 1800s]

Receive as proceeds, as in We had a good audience; how much did we take in? [Late 1800s] Also see the following entries beginning with take in .

Related Words

• absorb 
• receive