be in for
B1 informal transitive
In simple words
When something bad (or surprising) is going to happen to you and you can't avoid it.
Literal meaning: To be positioned inside of (awaiting) what is coming.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To be about to experience something inevitable, usually unpleasant or surprising.
"If the weather forecast is right, we're in for a very cold winter this year."
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
To be about to experience something unexpectedly pleasant (often: 'in for a treat').
"If you've never heard this band live before, you're in for a real treat."
Usage notes
Almost always used to predict an unpleasant experience: 'You're in for a shock', 'We're in for a rough ride'. Can occasionally refer to something positive ('you're in for a treat'). Very common in everyday spoken English.
Commonly used with
surprise shock treat rough time trouble disappointment
Forms
Base
be in for
I/you/we/they
3rd person
is in for
he/she/it
Past simple
was/were in for
yesterday
Past participle
been in for
have + pp
-ing form
being in for
continuous
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