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."
inseparable
back in
A2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To move a vehicle in reverse into a space, or to return to a previous position or situation.
In plain English
To drive a car backwards into a parking spot, or to go back into a place or situation you were in before.
What does "back in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move in a backward direction into a space.
Actually means
To drive a car backwards into a parking spot, or to go back into a place or situation you were in before.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "back in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
garage parking space driveway spot bay relationship
How to conjugate "back in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "back in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "back in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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