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work in

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To fit something into a plan or mix something into something else.

Literal meaning: To introduce something 'into' something else — fairly transparent in the physical/cooking sense.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To find space for something in a plan, schedule, or piece of writing and include it there.

"Can you work in a reference to our new product somewhere in the presentation?"

Grammar: separable
2 B2 neutral

To gradually mix or blend a substance into another material, especially in cooking or craft.

"Work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Has two distinct uses: (1) including something in a schedule or piece of work, and (2) physically mixing or incorporating something into a substance (e.g. in cooking or craft). Both senses are common. In the scheduling sense, it implies that fitting something in requires a degree of effort or reorganisation.

Commonly used with

reference appointment joke butter flour comment meeting

Forms

Base
work in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
works in
he/she/it
Past simple
worked in
yesterday
Past participle
worked in
have + pp
-ing form
working in
continuous

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