gather in
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: 1. To bring together and collect into one place or group: The primary meaning is to collect, assemble, or bring people or things together from various places. 2. To harvest or collect a crop: Specifically used in agriculture to mean collecting ripe crops from a field. 3. To draw something toward oneself; to pull in: This can refer to physically pulling in an object, such as gathering in a rope or, as in the nautical reference, taking in the sails of a boat.
Usage
The verb "gather in" is transitive and typically requires a direct object (the thing being collected or pulled). It often implies a purposeful, concluding action of collection or drawing to a close.
Examples
- Collecting People or Things:
- The community center will gather in donations for the food bank all month.
- She gathered in the children from the playground as it started to rain.
- Harvesting Crops:
- The farmers worked from dawn to dusk to gather in the wheat before the storm.
- It's time to gather in the apples from the orchard.
- Pulling In an Object:
- The sailor quickly gathered in the loose line before it went overboard.
- He gathered in the net, hoping it was full of fish.
Advanced Usage
- To gather oneself in: An idiomatic reflexive use meaning to control one's emotions or physical reactions, to compose oneself.
- After the shocking news, she took a moment to gather herself in before speaking.
Variants and Related Words
- Gather (verb): The core verb, meaning to come or bring together. "Gather in" often adds a nuance of finality or containment.
- Ingathering (noun): The act of gathering in, especially of a harvest.
- Harvest (verb/noun): A close synonym in the agricultural context.
Synonyms
- Collect
- Assemble
- Harvest
- Reap
- Take in
- Pull in
Phrasal Verbs
- Gather up: Very similar to "gather in," often used for collecting scattered items.
- Please gather up your toys and put them away.
Related Idioms
- Gather in the years: A poetic or literary phrase meaning to grow older.
- As he gathered in the years, his perspective on life mellowed.
- Gather in the sails: A specific nautical idiom meaning to furl or take in the sails of a boat.
- The wind was rising, so the captain ordered the crew to gather in the sails.
Verb
- fold up
- take in the sails