back in
A2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
To drive a car backwards into a parking spot, or to go back into a place or situation you were in before.
Literal meaning: To move in a backward direction into a space.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To drive or move a vehicle backwards into a space.
"It took him three attempts to back in to the narrow parking space."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 informal
To return to or re-enter a situation, place, or activity after leaving it.
"Once you back in to this kind of agreement, it's very hard to leave again."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Most commonly used literally for reversing a vehicle into a parking spot or garage. Also used figuratively to describe re-entering a situation or relationship. Common in everyday spoken English.
Commonly used with
garage parking space driveway spot bay relationship
Forms
Base
back in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
backs in
he/she/it
Past simple
backed in
yesterday
Past participle
backed in
have + pp
-ing form
backing in
continuous
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