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lean in

B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

Move your body closer to something, or try harder and be more confident in your work.

Literal meaning: To lean (tilt your body) in (toward something).

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To move your body forward, tilting or bending toward someone or something.

"She leaned in to hear what he was whispering over the noise of the crowd."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

To actively and confidently engage with your work, career, or challenges rather than holding back or deferring.

"Instead of waiting to be asked, she decided to lean in and volunteer for the leadership role."

"Women need to lean in to their ambitions."

— Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, 2013
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The literal sense (bending forward) is standard and neutral. The figurative sense was popularised by Sheryl Sandberg's 2013 book 'Lean In', which urged women to be more assertive in the workplace. This sense is now widely used in professional and motivational contexts. Can also describe embracing a difficult situation.

Commonly used with

career opportunity challenge ambition workplace conversation

Forms

Base
lean in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
leans in
he/she/it
Past simple
leaned in
yesterday
Past participle
leaned in
have + pp
-ing form
leaning in
continuous

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