take me in

USAGE SUMMARY

"take me in" is an acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You might use it when you want to express a need to be accepted or looked after. For example, "My family has turned their back on me, so I'm asking you to take me in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Arts & Culture

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Dickinson: Master, open your life wide and take me in forever.

The New Yorker

Take me in the pub, for example.

Independent

Take me in your arms and elope".

The Guardian - Books

Take me in, she wants to say.

The New Yorker

His mother said, "Ma said she'd take me in".

The New Yorker

It's the place that will take me in.

The New York Times

She moves to take me in her arms.

The Guardian - Books

I was looking for someone to take me in hand.

The Guardian

"Mum would take me in a pushchair to Maisie Baker's, who'd look after me.

The Guardian

It had been very generous of her to take me in.

The New Yorker

If they take me in, then I won't make the same mistake as I did before".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In the context of the police or legal authorities, be aware that it can also mean to be arrested or taken into custody.

Common error

While phrasal verbs can often be split by their object, ensure the pronoun 'me' always sits between the verb and the preposition. Saying 'take in me' is grammatically incorrect in standard English; always use "take me in".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take me in" functions as a phrasal verb consisting of the transitive verb 'take' and the particle 'in', separated by the direct object 'me'. According to Ludwig, it is commonly used to express the act of receiving someone into one's home or life.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Arts & Music

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Academic

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take me in" is a robust and grammatically correct phrasal verb that carries significant emotional and social weight. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability as a way to express the need to be looked after or accepted by others. Whether used literally to describe someone being provided with housing during a crisis or metaphorically to describe being accepted into a community, it is a staple of contemporary English. Users should be mindful of its secondary meaning—to be taken into police custody—but in most contexts, it remains a powerful expression of seeking and finding a home.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shelter me

Similar in meaning but sounds slightly more poetic or protective.

give me shelter

Emphasizes the physical need for protection from the elements or danger.

put me up

A more informal idiom specifically for temporary overnight accommodation.

provide me refuge

A formal way to describe seeking safety from persecution or hardship.

house me

Focuses strictly on the provision of a physical dwelling.

welcome me

Highlights the emotional warmth and hospitality of the acceptance.

accommodate me

More formal and can refer to fulfilling specific needs or space.

harbor me

Usually suggests providing a secret refuge, sometimes for a fugitive.

adopt me

Implying a permanent, often legal or familial integration.

admit me

Often used in institutional contexts like hospitals or universities.

FAQs

How do I use "take me in" in a sentence?

You can use it when asking for help or a place to stay, such as: "After my apartment flooded, my neighbors agreed to <a href="/s/take+me+in" target="_blank" rel="alternative">take me in for a few days."

What is the difference between "take me in" and "take me on"?

To "take me in" usually means to give someone shelter or to deceive them, whereas <a href="/s/take+me+on" target="_blank" rel="alternative">take me on usually means to challenge someone to a fight or to hire them for a job.

Is "take me in" a formal expression?

It is generally considered neutral. While it appears frequently in literature and news, in very formal legal contexts, you might use <a href="/s/provide+me+with+asylum" target="_blank" rel="alternative">provide me with asylum or <a href="/s/grant+me+residency" target="_blank" rel="alternative">grant me residency.

Can "take me in" be used for romantic contexts?

Yes, it often appears in songs and poetry to represent emotional intimacy or acceptance, similar to <a href="/s/embrace+me" target="_blank" rel="alternative">embrace me.