Phrasal verb
blend in
Definition
phrasal verb. to look or act like the people or things around you so that nobody notices you.
phrasal verb. to be similar to the surrounding environment or group, thereby becoming inconspicuous. Intransitive or used with 'with' to specify the environment.
Examples
“He wears a plain grey suit to blend in at the office.”
“The spy tried to blend in with the crowd to avoid being spotted by the guards.”
“The new housing development was designed with local stone to blend in with the traditional architecture of the village.”
Examples
simple
“He wears a plain grey suit to blend in at the office.”
contextual
“The spy tried to blend in with the crowd to avoid being spotted by the guards.”
complex
“The new housing development was designed with local stone to blend in with the traditional architecture of the village.”
Usage
often followed by the preposition 'with' when mentioning the group or environment.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'stand out' (the direct antonym); use the image of a chameleon to anchor the meaning of physical camouflage versus social conformity.
Pitfall
The building blends in the trees.
The building blends in with the trees.
when an object is mentioned, the preposition 'with' must follow the particle 'in'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
blend + in (+ with + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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