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."
inseparable
lean in
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To move your body forward toward someone or something, or (modern usage) to actively engage with your work and embrace challenges rather than holding back.
In plain English
Move your body closer to something, or try harder and be more confident in your work.
What does "lean in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To lean (tilt your body) in (toward something).
Actually means
Move your body closer to something, or try harder and be more confident in your work.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "lean in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
career opportunity challenge ambition workplace conversation
How to conjugate "lean in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "lean in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "lean in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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