Phrasal verb
stay in
Definition
phr.v. to spend time at home instead of going out to a social event.
phr.v. to remain at home for the evening or a specific period rather than going out for entertainment.
Examples
“Let's stay in and watch a movie tonight.”
“I'm feeling a bit tired, so I think I'll just stay in this evening.”
“While the rest of the city celebrated, the pensive detective chose to stay in, poring over cold case files until dawn.”
Examples
simple
“Let's stay in and watch a movie tonight.”
contextual
“I'm feeling a bit tired, so I think I'll just stay in this evening.”
complex
“While the rest of the city celebrated, the pensive detective chose to stay in, poring over cold case files until dawn.”
Usage
This phrasal verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
Teaching tip
Contrast directly with its opposite, 'go out'. Ask students to describe their ideal Friday night using either 'stay in' or 'go out'.
Pitfall
I stayed in home last night.
I stayed in last night.
The phrase 'stay in' already implies being at home; adding 'home' after it is redundant.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Phrasal verb
Particles
in
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
stay + in