1 C1 neutral
Of something sharp or abrasive, to press into or cut into a surface painfully.
"The tight handcuffs bit in, leaving red marks on his wrists."
inseparable
bite in
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To begin to have a painful, sharp, or corrosive effect on something; to cut into a surface.
In plain English
To start hurting or cutting into something — like when something sharp digs in.
What does "bite in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic neutral
To begin to have a noticeable, often painful or damaging, effect.
"The winter cold really started to bite in by December, freezing the pipes solid."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bite inward — teeth or a sharp object cutting into a surface.
Actually means
To start hurting or cutting into something — like when something sharp digs in.
Usage tip
Relatively uncommon. Used when describing something sharp, cold, or corrosive that begins to penetrate or take effect — for example, a wire biting in, or frost biting in. Often interchangeable with 'bite into' in these contexts.
Words that pair with "bite in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
wire cold frost acid rope edge
How to conjugate "bite in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bite in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bites in
he/she/it
Past simple
bited in
yesterday
Past participle
bited in
have + pp
-ing form
biting in
continuous
Hear "bite in" in the wild
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