AEE 2542: Take in Phrasal Verbs to Connect in English

Summary

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All Ears English Podcast Summary

Episode: AEE 2542: Take in Phrasal Verbs to Connect in English
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Aubrey Carter
Date: January 5, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Lindsay and Aubrey tackle the phrasal verb “take in,” breaking down its five distinct meanings in American English. They highlight how understanding and using such phrasal verbs is important for sounding natural and making real connections in everyday conversations. The episode includes detailed explanations, examples, and a listener question from Saddam Sarhan of Jordan, as well as a lively role play to illustrate each meaning.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origin and Listener Question (02:18–04:29)

• Aubrey introduces the French bakery-café Le Pain Quotidien and segues into the word “quotidien” (meaning “daily”), which was used in Saddam’s question.
• Saddam’s Question (03:49): He requests a breakdown of the different meanings of the phrasal verb "take in" and asks for examples in quoted, i.e., real, situations.
  • Lindsay: “I'd like to thank you for your unequaled educational content… would you kindly talk about the different meanings of the phrasal verb to take in and how we can use it in real quoted on situations.” (03:49)

2. Five Meanings of “Take In” (05:36–10:34)

Meaning 1: To Shelter or Allow Someone to Stay When in Need (05:54–07:14)

• Example: “They couldn’t find a host for the exchange student, so my neighbor took her in.” (06:08, Aubrey)
• The hosts elaborate on using “take in” for emergency sheltering, e.g., after a car breakdown or with an abandoned pet.
• Lindsay: “We took in a dog that was on our street and are trying to find its owner.” (06:54)

Meaning 2: Attend or Experience an Event or Place (07:20–07:55)

• Example: “We could take in a movie tonight if you’re up for it.” (07:20, Aubrey)
• Aubrey and Lindsay note it's a slightly old-fashioned, charming way to say "go to."
  • Aubrey: “On our trip to New York, we took in a Broadway show and walked through Central Park.” (07:53)

Meaning 3: Alter Clothing to Make Smaller (08:05–08:45)

• Example: “If we take in the waist of this dress, it’ll fit.” (08:05, Aubrey)
• Discussion around tailoring terms; “let out” is the opposite.
  • Lindsay: "Or, you know, when... most people need to take [a wedding dress] to a tailor and they'll take in the dress..." (08:21)

Meaning 4: To Cheat, Fool, or Deceive Someone (08:54–09:44)

• Example: “The scalper managed to take in several tourists with his fake tickets.” (08:54, Lindsay)
• Both hosts note this use is less common and more old-fashioned, now replaced by "scam."
  • Aubrey: “I do think you would be more likely to hear it in an older film… now we've kind of replaced it with scammed.” (09:08)

Meaning 5: To Absorb or Understand Something Fully (09:44–10:49)

• Example: “As you might say after the shocking news, he needed a moment to take it in before reacting.” (09:54, Aubrey)
• The hosts connect “take it all in” to soaking up environments or experiences, like traveling.
  • Lindsay: “Yeah, we need to spend at least three days in Rome so we can take it all in.” (10:27)

3. Further Conversation: Subtle Differences and Related Expressions (10:49–11:44)

• Aubrey explains that “take it in” and “take it all in” are very close in meaning; “all” adds emphasis that there’s “a lot” to experience.
• Alternative expressions: “soak it in,” “drink it in.”
  • Aubrey: “We’re going to do a part two covering all of the different ways that we say that in English.” (11:31)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On vocabulary appreciation:
  Aubrey: “I first want to just congratulate Saddam for this amazing vocabulary. Unequaled is such an impressive adjective. And quotidien, which means daily. But we have adopted this from French.” (04:35)
• On fashion vocabulary:
  Aubrey: “But it doesn’t ever mean the alteration of adding or, like, making it wide. It means you’re making it smaller.” (08:29)
• On generational shifts in language:
  Lindsay: “You might not hear a Gen Z... saying that [take in a play]. That generation, unfortunately. It’s always kind of sad when these kinds of phrases start feeling outdated and get replaced, because that’s kind of a beautiful way of saying.” (14:01)
• On connotations:
  Aubrey: “Because it’s sort of implying that you can’t afford a hotel. There’s not another option which would work for college students... So you wouldn’t say this [about adults].” (17:14)

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Role Play: “College Kids Traveling in Europe” (12:18–16:45)

Purpose: Demonstrates all five meanings of “take in” in a natural, conversational context.

Key Dialogue (bolded phrases show different meanings)

• Absorb an experience:
  Aubrey: “This city is amazing. I’m trying to take it all in.” (12:26)
• Attend an event:
  Aubrey: “I’d love to take in a play or a concert tonight.” (12:37)
• Be deceived:
  Lindsay: “Hey, do you think I got taken in spending $20 on this souvenir mug?” (12:42)
• Alter clothes:
  Lindsay: “I almost bought that dress, but I could tell it’d need to be taken in at the waist.” (12:49)
• Provide shelter:
  Aubrey: “I’m glad we didn’t stay with my aunt. It was nice of them to offer to take us in, but I wouldn’t want to disturb them when we get in late.” (12:55)

Additional Insights:

• Discussion of “take in” vs. “let out” for tailoring (08:45–08:54).
• Debate over “aunt” vs “ant” pronunciation and cultural/regional differences (15:41–16:32).
• Discussion about the implied struggle or necessity in “take in” when talking about being hosted (17:14–17:29).

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Practical Tips and Listener Takeaways

• Context matters: The meaning of “take in” depends entirely on the situation—it can range from being hosted, to tailoring, to experiencing something, to being fooled!
• Formality & Age: Some uses (“take in a play,” “take in [be deceived]”) are a bit dated but still understood.
• Augment Vocabulary: Using phrasal verbs like “take in” helps you sound more like a native speaker—essential for genuine connection.
• Substitutes: For “absorb an experience,” you can also say “soak it in” or “drink it in.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:18 – Introduction to listener question and “quotidien”
• 05:54 – Meaning 1: Provide shelter/host
• 07:20 – Meaning 2: Attend/experience an event or place
• 08:05 – Meaning 3: Tailor/alter clothes
• 08:54 – Meaning 4: Cheat/fool/deceive
• 09:44 – Meaning 5: Absorb/understand fully
• 12:18 – Role play demonstration
• 15:41–16:32 – Regional “aunt/ant” pronunciation

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Final Thoughts (18:13–18:38)

• Mastering phrasal verbs is crucial for real-world American English fluency and cultural connection.
• Lindsay: “Always look for more casual, more phrasal verbish ways to say things because that will bring you closer to connection with the person in front of you.” (18:28)
• Stay tuned for the upcoming part two focusing on alternative expressions to “take in.”

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If you want to sound more natural, focus on phrasal verbs and their context-driven meanings—practice using them in real-life situations for better connection, not perfection!

Transcript

[A]

This is an Allers English podcast. Episode 2542 take in phrasal Verbs to Connect in English.

[B]

Welcome to the All Ears English podcast, downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection, with your American host, Aubrey Carter, the IELTS whiz, and Lindsey McMahon, the English adventurer, coming to you from Arizona and Colorado, usa. And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe have you heard native speakers use the phrasal verb take in? Did you know that they could be using Any any of 5 different meanings? Get all the context you need today to keep up in conversations when this verb appears. New Year, new you. But what about your business English? Are your emails too formal? Are you still saying could you kindly when native speakers just say can you? Do you hesitate in conversations because you're not sure what actually sounds natural? Do you feel awkward jumping into casual work, conversations or even small talk? If you said yes to any of these, your English might be holding you back at work this new year. Upgrade your confidence with the All Ears English Business English course. Sound natural, sound confident, and see the results in your career. You can save up to $100 off the course, but this offer expires January 11th at midnight. Go to allearsenglish.com business to join. Now that's allearsenglish.com B N E S.

[A]

S.

[B]

Hey there Aubrey. What's shaking? What's going on?

[A]

Hey Lindsay. How are you doing?

[B]

Feeling great. Yeah. We are getting into the very beginning of the year, I believe here. So ready for 2026? Oh my gosh, yes.

[A]

Absolutely. I have a question for you, Lindsay. Have you ever been to Le Pankotidien?

[B]

Wow, good accent. I usually don't name nearly so gracefully, but yeah, I've been there. Yeah, I like their soups, I like their bread. How about you? Have you been?

[A]

Yeah, this means daily bread in English, but they keep this French name. I, I went first in Belgium when I was a nanny and it was the only one. And then I remember when it franchised and you and it was in France.

[B]

Oh, interesting.

[A]

And then when I was in New York, I just was walking down the street and I saw one. I was like, it took me back to when I was in Belgium. I didn't realize it was in the States. I didn't realize it started in Belgium. California, New York.

[B]

Okay. I would have thought it started in France, but I am a naive so That's.

[A]

Yes. It actually started in Brussels, the first one, the flagship store. So, yeah, they have these long communal tables with a really cool atmosphere. Just walk in and take it all in. Nice. But I wanted to ask you about this today because the question we were sent, they used this word quotidian, which we. We do use in English, but not very often. So I was very impressed with the vocabulary.

[B]

Yeah, that's really interesting. Right. We don't use it on a regular basis, but it's good to know it as an English word. It's very high level, Right?

[A]

Yes. And I also used this phrasal verb there, saying, you walk in and take it all in, that they asked about. I'm excited to dive into these phrasal verbs today that we use a lot in English.

[B]

Okay, so should I start by reading the question?

[A]

Yeah, let's do it.

[B]

All right, this question is from Saddam Sarhan from Jordan. Here we go. First, I'd like to thank you for your unequ. Educational content. I've been listening to your podcast for a while, and honestly, it's so useful for me. We love that. Thank you, Saddam.

[A]

Yes, absolutely. Thank you for letting us know.

[B]

That makes us very happy, for sure. So I have a request related to phrasal verbs, which I believe that learning phrasal verbs is really essential to sound more natural and speak like a native. So without further ado, my request is would you kindly talk about the different meanings of the phrasal verb to take in and how we can use it in real quoted on situations. Wow.

[A]

Yes. Right, you said. Have a good day. And thanks again to all members of aee.

[B]

Yes. Yes.

[A]

Shout out to all the members of our community, everyone out there listening, but this is a fantastic question. I first want to just congratulate Saddam for this amazing vocabulary. Unequaled is such an impressive adjective. And cotidien, which means daily. But we have adopted this from French. We don't hear it often, but I'm always impressed when I hear someone use this adjective.

[B]

I know, I know. We did an episode a back about words we've adopted from French, but we could probably do an updated one. Aubrey, we probably could.

[A]

And I don't think we mentioned that one. And I'm sure there are more. So. Yeah, that would be fun.

[B]

Amazing. So, guys, before we go any further in the episode, make sure you hit that follow button. We are at the very beginning of the year. The possibilities for the year are endless. There's so much you could do with your year, but what can you do with those 15 minutes when you're washing dishes every day, when you're driving to work. I mean, there's a lot we can do with that time if we have the right resources. So hit follow so that allers English will come up in your queue, and you'll. You'll come back to us four days a week. Four or five days a week. That is the way to get more fluent. All right.

[A]

Absolutely. And Saddam is so right that phrasal verbs are one of the things that makes you sound more natural. There are so many verbs that in casual conversation we replace with phrasal verbs. So we're going to dive into. Taken today, which has five different meanings in English.

[B]

Let's say, wow. Oh, my gosh. I. Yeah. Phrasal verbs are crazy. So let's go into some of the common ones. The first one is allowing someone to stay in a place, especially because they're in difficulty. Aubrey, tell us a little bit more about this.

[A]

Yeah. So, for example, they couldn't find a host for the exchange student, so my neighbor took her in. This actually happened not that long ago. There was someone who had come from Spain as an exchange student, and there was some kind of situation, and the host family no longer could host her. And so my neighbor took her in. So it's this sort of implication that they don't have anywhere else to stay. They're in difficulty. So you're not just saying, like, she's going to come live with us. You say we take her in or take him in, meaning they were in dire straits, they needed a home, they needed shelter. So we provided that y.

[B]

Or if your. Your car breaks down in a big snowstorm and you, you know, maybe you need a place to stay for the night. You knock on someone's door or something.

[A]

Right. That kind of. That's how a lot of good horror movies start. Knock, I need a place to stay. Can you take me in?

[B]

I know it sounds like a horror movie. Oh, my God. Or taking in a dog. Of course. We took in a dog that was on our street and are trying to find its owner. Oh, sad. I ha idea.

[A]

Yeah. So this, right? It's like if there's a. A dog, a pet that doesn't have anywhere else to be, we would say this. We took him in. It means you're taking care of them, you're giving them shelter until you find them a home.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Hopefully we find the dog's parents. Yeah, definitely. What's the second one, Aubrey?

[A]

All right, so this is to visit or attend a place or an event. So, for example, you might say to someone, we could take in a movie tonight if you're up for it. So it sort of means the same as go to a movie, see a movie. But we'll use this phrasal verb, let's take in a movie tonight.

[B]

Yeah. It's kind of a co use of taken. It feels kind of old fashioned, but we still use it. It feels like it's been around for a long time.

[A]

Yeah, I kind of like it.

[B]

It's kind of cool. It's kind of antique. It feels antique. On our trip to New York, we took in a Broadway show and walked through Central Park. Wow. Sounds beautiful.

[A]

I know. Sounds like a lovely evening.

[B]

It really does.

[A]

Take in a Broadway show, go on a walk through Central park.

[B]

Like, okay, that's not it, though. There are still three more meanings for take in. Aubrey, what's number three?

[A]

All right, number three is to make clothing tighter by altering seams. So, for example, if we take in the waist of this dress, it'll fit. So that means it's too. Like the waist is too wide, too big. You have to take it in, meaning you make the seams smaller so that it fits.

[B]

Right. Or, you know, when. If you buy your wedding dress, most people need to take it to a tailor and they'll take in the dress or do alterations of some of some sort.

[A]

Right, exactly. Or a suit. You take a suit to this tailor, maybe they take in the shoulders or the pant seams. Right. It just means there's some kind of alteration. But it doesn't ever mean the alteration of adding or like making it wide. It means you're making it smaller.

[B]

That's a good point. That's important, right? Yeah. You're not. Well, I think the phrasal verb for that would be letting it out. Or is it take out or let it out? I think let out, Right?

[A]

Let out, probably, yeah.

[B]

Oh, this is a very specific vocabulary today. All right, let's move on to number four. Is cheat, fool, or deceive someone. Okay. The scalper managed to take in several tourists with his fake tickets. This one, I don't know as much.

[A]

I don't use as much. And it's. It feels a lot like what you were saying about the, you know, visiting a place a little old fashioned. Like, I still do hear it sometimes, but I do think you would be more likely to hear it in an older film like, oh, the thief took in several people. Now we've kind of replaced it with scammed. Okay, they got scammed. Somebody Scammed them. And this was a little of an old fashioned way. But I'll still hear this like, don't be taken in by scams. And they mean don't be fooled by scams.

[B]

So you're saying nowadays someone might be more likely to say, don't be scammed, don't get scammed.

[A]

Right, exactly. Okay, interesting.

[B]

And then the last one, take it in. Take it all in. Is to understand something completely. Meaning. Understanding the meaning or the importance of something. Yeah, exactly.

[A]

So, yeah, this is the one I used at the top of the episode saying Le Pan has this amazing atmosphere. You walk in and just take it all in. And yeah, as you might say after the shocking news, he needed a moment to take it in before reacting, sort of absorb. You're needing a moment to completely absorb or understand something.

[B]

Yeah. And I think this one is a little bit related to the. The evening in Manhattan that we just talked about taking in a Broadway show. Because you're kind of consuming something and you're sort of chewing on it in a sense. Not literally.

[A]

Yeah, a little bit. A little similar. For sure.

[B]

Yeah. We need to spend at least three days in Rome so we can take it all in. So you can essentially absorb. You're kind of absorbing something.

[A]

Right, exactly. And it's interesting how we add that all which the. It's a slight change. They really have the same meaning. But just to say, so we can take it in. If you say take it all in, you're implying that there's a lot to take in, there's a lot to see or do.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. How do you feel when you travel to a place Aubry, when it is kind of overwhelming like that? Do you like that? Or is it like you'd rather go to more low key places where there's maybe I do one or two things to do? Yeah, yeah.

[A]

I love being able to see lots of different things. And then you maybe go home and take it all in and think about everything you saw, the amazing things you did, as opposed to, you know, someplace where there's not much to do. Yeah, there's not much to take in here.

[B]

Right. But sometimes, though, I like it when I can go to a place and just focus on like the food or, you know, the wine or something and not feel like I have to run all over the place and go to every.

[A]

Definitely advantages to both.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

But we do want to share. There are a lot of other ways to say this. Fifth meaning. Right. Soak it in, drink it in. There are quite a few. So Hit follow. We're going to do a part two covering all of the different ways that we say that in English.

[B]

Great. We love part twos. All right, well, we'll take a quick break, and then we'll come back with a role play.

[C]

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[B]

All right, Aubry. Role play time. Here we are, college kids, and we're traveling in Europe, which we both did in college, right?

[A]

Yes, absolutely. I'll start us out here. This city is amazing. I'm trying to take it all in.

[B]

There's so much to see. It's difficult to know where to head first.

[A]

And I don't want to just see the sights. I'd love to take in a play or a concert tonight.

[B]

Absolutely. Hey, do you think I got taken in spending $20 on this souvenir mug?

[A]

No, I think that was a steal.

[B]

Okay, good. I almost bought that dress, but I could tell it'd need to be taken in at the waist.

[A]

I'm glad we didn't stay with my aunt. It was nice of them to offer to take us in, but I wouldn't want to disturb them when we get in late.

[B]

This sounds like a typical conversation of college kids traveling in Europe.

[A]

Right, Right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

This. This said I have a. An. I guess she's a great aunt. Great aunt.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

That lives in Switzerland and offered to let us stay with her. And I'm like, I really wanted to. To save money and to spend more time with them, but I'm like, then what if we get in late? We're, like, disturbing them.

[B]

Yeah, it's true. True. Maybe you can go back and visit her another time, Right?

[A]

Yes, definitely. All right, so let's go through this. I first used this fifth. Meaning I'm trying to take it all in. Meaning just absorb and, you know, get. Make the most of the experience.

[B]

Yep, exactly. And they said. We said, I don't want to just see the sights. I'd love to take in a play or a concert. So you mean go to a play or a concert, right?

[A]

Yep. And you definitely could say that as well, right? Oh, I'd love to. Go to a play. I'd love to see a play. This is another way to say that. And you will hear this every now and then, but it is a little oldfashioned. We don't hear it as much.

[B]

You might not hear a Gen Z, who was actually. Who might be studying abroad right now, saying that. Right.

[A]

That generation, unfortunately. It's always kind of sad when these kinds of phrases start feeling outdated and get replaced, because that's kind of a beautiful way of saying.

[B]

It is kind of. Yeah, for sure. And then I said, absolutely. Hey, do you think I got taken in? Spending $20? And you have the option to say that we're talking about getting cheated or scammed or robbed in a way. Right. But. But probably you'd be more likely to say, did I get scammed or did I get cheated? Maybe, Right?

[A]

Yeah. We don't hear this as often. I would know what someone meant if they said this. Right. Do you think I got taken in? But it's true. There are a lot more, especially in casual conversation, more likely to say, I think I overspent. Do you think I spent too much?

[B]

Sounds like maybe this person did spend too much, but I don't know.

[A]

On a souvenir mug. I hope it was a really nice.

[B]

All right, what did I say after that?

[A]

And then you said, I wanted to buy that dress, but I could tell it didn't need to be taken in at the waist. So this will happen. Sometimes you're like, I love this, but I can tell it would need to be altered. It would need to be. And that's expensive. So often you won't buy it.

[B]

Alterations are super expensive now. Yeah.

[A]

Yes. I had to have my wedding dress altered when I first bought it, and it was worth it because I had found it, you know, it was quite inexpensive. But the alterations cost almost as much as the dress. Yeah, it's expensive.

[B]

That happens. That happened to me, too. It didn't cost as much as the dress, but it cost a lot. Maybe half the dress. All right. And then the last thing that you said was, I'm glad we didn't stay with my aunt. I say aunt, you say aunt. Both are acceptable, by the way.

[A]

I usually say aunt, but then I'm like, if other people are listening, I often will switch to aunt.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Well, this is a debate I feel judged for saying.

[B]

And no, this is like an ongoing debate I have with my partner all the time. The. The running theory is that ant is more west coast or like western US Aunt is more East Coast. I think that might be true because my niece will say to me. She calls me auntie, but. Yeah, I don't hear aunt out here in the West.

[A]

Right, Exactly. But there's something about, like. I often will switch to aunt if I know anyone who's listening. Prefers aunt or hears aunt. I don't know. It's interesting. I kind of feel like ant is associated more with like. Like the country or rural language. Maybe not, but. So that's why I often will say aunt, even though I grew up saying we should.

[B]

I know we have talked about this in one episode at one point, but you might have to come back to it because it's a real. It's an interesting topic. Yeah. So we said it was nice of them to offer to take us in, meaning, you know, host us, let us stay with them.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

But I don't want to disturb them. Right. Gonna have crazy nights going to the. The discotheque. Right.

[A]

Yeah. And this is interesting because this is why I made us young colle. To be able to use take us in. Because if we're our age now, a family member might offer to let us stay with them, but they wouldn't use this phrasal verb because it's sort of implying that you can't afford a hotel. There's not another option which would work for college students. Right. We're staying at hostels. We don't have a lot. Oh, we'll take you in.

[B]

That's great.

[A]

We don't have other options, but most people can afford a hotel. So you wouldn't say this.

[B]

Yep, That's a great point.

[A]

That's.

[B]

So there's some connotation there for sure, that our listeners need to be aware of. Of. Right.

[A]

It kind of means you're. You don't have another option. You're in dire straits.

[B]

Yep. You.

[A]

You need shelter. I mean.

[B]

I know. I remember, and you probably resonate with this too. What we would do is I studied in Paris and we would just take the night train to Italy instead of paying for a hotel. So that would be.

[A]

I absolutely did that. Even to not have to pay the $10 for a hostel.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, let's see. I'll take the train from Italy to Denmark. That's about eight hours. I'll just sleep on the street.

[B]

Funny. And then, of course, you feel like garbage the next.

[A]

Like walking in and out all night.

[B]

So save $10. Yeah. But anyways, that's the way a college kid thinks, so. Yeah. All right, guys, go check out episode 2537, cozy up with these holiday phrasal verbs that was just recorded recently so check it out, huh?

[A]

Yes. So many great phrasal verbs. And thank you Saddam for the question. It's so true that phrasal verbs really do make your speech sound more natural native that we often will replace the verb which just feels just a little more formal.

[B]

Yeah, this is so good. Always look for more casual, more phrasal verbish ways to say things because that will bring you closer to connection with the person in front of you. Right?

[A]

Absolutely. Definitely. Thanks for chatting with me today Lindsay.

[B]

Very fun. Of course. Talk soon Aubry. Have a good day.

[A]

You too. Bye bye.

[B]

Thanks for listening. To all ears. English Would you like to know your English English level? Take our two minute quiz, go to allearsenglish. Com Fluency score and if you believe in connection not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.