ENGLISH
REFERENCE

stay in

phr. v..
A1 Beginner Oxford

phr. v.. To remain at home and not go out, especially for an evening.

phr. v.. To remain indoors, typically at one's own home, instead of going out for social or leisure activities. This phrasal verb is intransitive.


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.

Particles
in
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
stay + in
Usage

Commonly used to describe plans for an evening, often as a contrast to 'going out'.

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'm going to stay in home.I'm going to stay in.The phrasal verb 'stay in' doesn't take an object; 'at home' is implied.

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