taking-in

A tailor performs a taking-in on a pair of trousers.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Reduction or contraction: "taking-in" refers to the act of making something smaller or reducing its size, such as in sewing or tailoring.
   • Deception or fraud: In informal usage, "taking-in" can mean the act of cheating, swindling, or deceiving someone.

Usage Examples

• Noun (reduction):

  • The tailor performed a taking-in of the waistband to make the trousers fit better. (The act of reducing the size of the waistband.)
  • After the weight loss, she needed a taking-in of all her dresses. (A reduction in garment size.)

• Noun (deception):

  • The con artist's taking-in of elderly victims was eventually discovered by the police. (The act of swindling or cheating.)
  • His smooth talk was just a taking-in to get their money. (A deceptive scheme.)

Advanced Usage

• "Taking-in" as a gerund: In formal writing, "taking-in" can function as a gerund (a verb form used as a noun) to describe the process of absorbing or comprehending.
  • The taking-in of new information requires concentration. (The process of absorbing or understanding.)
  • The company's taking-in of raw materials was efficient. (The process of receiving or accepting.)

Variants and Related Words

• Take-in (n): a fraud or deception; also a reduction in size (less common).
  • The investment scheme turned out to be a take-in. (A fraud.)
• Take in (phrasal verb): to reduce the size of (clothing); to deceive; to absorb or understand.
  • She had to take in the dress at the seams. (To reduce the size.)
  • Don't be taken in by his lies. (To be deceived.)
  • He took in every word of the lecture. (To absorb or understand.)

Synonyms

• Reduction: the act of making smaller.
• Scam: a dishonest scheme (for the deception sense).
• Swindle: the act of cheating someone out of money.

Phrasal Verbs (related to "take in")

• Take in: to reduce (clothing) in size; to deceive; to absorb (information).
  • The tailor took in the jacket by two inches. (Reduced the size.)
  • She was taken in by the fake email. (Deceived.)
  • The sponge took in all the water. (Absorbed.)

Related Idioms

• Take someone in: to deceive or trick someone.
  • The salesman took the customers in with false promises. (Deceived them.)
• Take in the sights: to see and enjoy the attractions of a place.
  • We spent the day taking in the sights of Paris. (Absorbing the experience.)