reel in
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
to pull something closer, or to get something you want
Literal meaning: to wind something in using a reel
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
to pull in a fishing line or bring something closer by winding it on a reel
"He reeled in the line slowly and finally saw the fish near the boat."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
to attract and secure customers, money, votes, or other benefits
"The new ad campaign reeled in thousands of online subscribers."
"Disney+ reeled in 10 million sign-ups on day one."
— News headlines, 2019
Grammar: separable
3 C1
idiomatic
neutral
to shock or unsettle someone emotionally
"The sudden accusation left him reeling in disbelief."
Grammar: intransitive
Usage notes
This phrase is used both literally in fishing and figuratively for attracting customers, votes, money, or support.
Commonly used with
fish line customers voters profits investment
Forms
Base
reel in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
reels in
he/she/it
Past simple
reeled in
yesterday
Past participle
reeled in
have + pp
-ing form
reeling in
continuous
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