come in
Related to come in: come in handy
come in
1. To enter a place, such as a room, house, etc. Often used as an imperative. In this usage, "on" can be used between "come" and "in." I came in while the meeting was in progress, so I waited in the back. Come in! I'm in the kitchen! Come on in and have a seat.
2. To arrive at a particular place or destination. Those dresses were scheduled to come in last Tuesday. When does your flight come in?
3. To finish a contest or competition in a particular position or place (as in first, second, third, etc.). I didn't expect to come in first or anything, but finishing last is pretty disappointing.
4. To join something that is already in progress, often in a particular way or role. Ashley will sing the verse, and then we'll all come in on the chorus.
5. To be received, as of a transmission. Call me back later—you're not coming in well, so I can barely hear you.
6. To have or finish with a particular value or measurement. You came in at two minutes and 30 seconds, which is a better time than your last race. The estimate came in way too high, so we have to solicit more bids.
7. To approach or reach the shore, as of the tide. If you're trying to stay dry, we should move our chairs back before the tide comes in again.
8. To receive or be subject to something. Those boys are going to have to come in for a punishment after starting the food fight.
9. To join a group in doing something. We're pooling our money to get Sean a graduation gift, if you want to come in with us.
See also: come
come on in
A polite request or command to enter some place. Come on in, we've got a place at the table ready for you! Thank you for calling over, won't you please come on in?
See also: come, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
Come (on) in.
and come on in(to) somethingEnter.; Come into this place. (A polite invitation to enter someone's home, office, room, etc. It is more emphatic with on.) Bob: Hello, you guys. Come on in. We're just about to start dinner. Bill: Come in. Nice to see you. Mary: I hope we're not too early. Bill: Not at all. Come on into the house and have a cold drink.
See also: come
come in
1. to enter. (Often a command or polite request.) Please come in. If you will come in and have a seat, I will tell Betty that you are here.
2. to arrive; [for a shipment of something] to arrive. New models come in almost every week. When do you expect a new batch to come in? The tomatoes will come in at the end of July. The election results came in early in the evening.
3. [for a broadcast signal] to be received satisfactorily. Can you hear me? How am I coming in? You are coming in all right.
See also: come
come in a certain position
to finish in a certain position or rank. Fred came in fourth in the race. He was afraid he would come in last.
See also: certain, come, position
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
come in
1. Arrive, become available for use or begin to produce, as in Has the new fall line come in yet? or The latest reports are coming in now, or This well has just begun to come in. [Late 1800s]
2. Also, come in on. Join an enterprise, as in Do you want to come in on our venture? [Mid-1800s]
3. Be one of those who finish a contest or race, as in My horse came in last. [Late 1800s]
4. Perform or function, as in This mixer comes in very handy, or Where does my department come in? [Late 1800s] Also see come in handy.
5. Enter into an account, issue, or list, as in Where does this question come in? or Please explain where in this long process I come in. This usage dates from Shakespeare's time and appears in The Tempest (2:1): "Widow? A pox on that! How came that widow in?" Also see subsequent entries beginning with come in; come into; this is where I came in.
See also: come
come on in
Please enter, as in Come on in, the door's open. This phrase is simply a friendly request to enter one's house or some other place. The related come on in, the water's fine originated as an encouragement (or, sometimes, a command) to a reluctant or fearful swimmer but has been extended to other activities, as in Come on in, the water's fine-this is a great office to work in!
See also: come, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
come in
v.
1. To enter some enclosed region: You may open the door and come in.
2. To arrive or become available: We don't have any summer hats now, but a new shipment will be coming in soon. Some important information just came in that we think you should know about.
3. To arrive at an airport, harbor, or other central location. Used especially of modes of transportation: The flight comes in at 6:00.
4. To approach or encroach upon a shoreline: The tide is coming in after noon. Big waves will come in for some time after the storm.
5. To arrive, among those who finish a contest or race, at some rank with respect to the others: My friend came in fifth place in the spelling contest, and I came in last. These two runners will come in ahead of the others.
6. To be received. Used of wireless communications: The radio signal is not coming in well because of the electrical storm.
7. To take on a specified role: You don't have to help move the boxes; come in when we need you for the furniture. Chapter five of the book is where the main character comes in.
8. come in at To be measured or evaluated as having some value: The heaviest of the parcels came in at more than ten pounds.
9. come in for To be subject to something: The engineers came in for high praise with their clever design. The officials will come in for sharp criticism by the newspapers.
10. come in with To join some group in some endeavor or toward achieving something: Do you want to come in with us to buy a birthday present for Timmy?
See also: come
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- come in a certain position
- come on in
- empty in(to) (something)
- empty into
- be (flat) on (one's) back
- (Is) that everything?
- flat on (one's) back
- flat on back
- flat on one's back
- a cold day in Hell