1 B1 idiomatic informal
to get into a vehicle or place quickly and in large numbers
"The kids piled in as soon as the doors opened."
inseparable
pile in
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
to enter quickly in a group, especially into a vehicle or room
In plain English
to go in together fast
What does "pile in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
to arrive and join an activity in a noisy or eager way
"More relatives kept piling in until the house was full."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to move in as a pile
Actually means
to go in together fast
Usage tip
Common in speech for people getting into cars, buses, rooms, or buildings together.
Words that pair with "pile in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
car bus room classroom back seat
How to conjugate "pile in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pile in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
piles in
he/she/it
Past simple
piled in
yesterday
Past participle
piled in
have + pp
-ing form
piling in
continuous
Hear "pile in" in the wild
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Other ways to say "pile in"
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