drive in
A2 neutral separable both
In simple words
Go into a place by car, or bang something (like a nail) into a surface.
Literal meaning: To move inward by driving or to push something inward.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To enter a place, area, or space while driving a vehicle.
"The delivery van drove in through the back gate and parked near the loading bay."
Grammar: inseparable
2 A2 neutral
To force a nail, screw, post, or other object into a surface by striking or applying pressure.
"He drove in the last few nails and stepped back to admire the new shelf."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
The vehicle sense is very common and transparent. The 'hammering' sense (e.g. driving in a nail or a screw) is also widely used in construction and DIY contexts. The noun 'drive-in' (e.g. drive-in cinema, drive-in restaurant) derives from this phrasal verb.
Commonly used with
nail screw stake car driveway gate post
Forms
Base
drive in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
drives in
he/she/it
Past simple
drove in
yesterday
Past participle
driven in
have + pp
-ing form
driving in
continuous
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Synonyms
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