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suck in

B1 neutral separable both
In simple words

Pull something or someone inside using force, or trick someone into getting involved.

Literal meaning: To suck (draw by suction) something inward — the physical act of drawing something inside.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To draw air, smoke, or liquid into the body or a space through suction.

"She sucked in a sharp breath when she heard the news."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To deceive or manipulate someone into becoming involved in a situation, often a negative one.

"Don't let those online scammers suck you in with promises of easy money."

Grammar: separable
3 B1 neutral

To pull the stomach or cheeks inward deliberately.

"He sucked in his stomach as she walked past, trying to look slimmer."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

The physical sense is common and neutral (sucking in air). The figurative sense (being deceived or drawn into a bad situation) is very common in informal speech. 'Don't let yourself get sucked in' is a very frequent idiomatic warning.

Commonly used with

air breath stomach scam scheme crowd

Forms

Base
suck in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sucks in
he/she/it
Past simple
sucked in
yesterday
Past participle
sucked in
have + pp
-ing form
sucking in
continuous

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