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Meaning & use

reel in

verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌriːl ˈɪn/
US/ˌriːl ˈɪn/

Meanings

  1. verbphrasal verb

    To bring something nearer by winding a line around a reel, especially a fish on a fishing line.

    Grammar: Takes an object: reel in the fish or reel the fish in.

    Patterns

    • reel something in
    • reel in something

    He slowly reeled in a huge trout.

    She reeled the line in and checked the bait.

    The kids helped to reel in the net.

  2. verbphrasal verbinformalfigurative

    To attract or win someone or something, such as a customer or a deal, often with skill or persuasion.

    Grammar: Takes an object; informal and figurative: reel in customers.

    Patterns

    • reel someone in
    • reel in something

    The shop reels in customers with big discounts.

    The band reeled in thousands of new fans with one video.

    The salesman tried to reel her in with a free gift.

Word forms

third person singularreels in
past tensereeled in
past participlereeled in
-ing formreeling in

Common combinations

reel in a fish
It took ten minutes to reel in the fish.
reel in customers
The ad reeled in customers from all over town.
reel in a big deal
They reeled in a big deal with the airline.
reel in the line
Reel in the line gently or it will snap.
reel someone in
Her smile reeled him in at once.

Synonyms and how they differ

haul in
Haul in suggests heavy pulling by strength, while reel in involves winding a line on a reel.
attract
Attract is neutral and formal, but reel in suggests catching someone by clever or slightly sly means.
land
Land focuses on successfully bringing in the fish or a deal at the end, whereas reel in describes the process.
hook
Hook describes catching a person's interest, while reel in suggests drawing them in step by step.

Opposites

let outcast out

Word family

reel noun
a cylinder on which a line, film or thread is wound
reel verb
to wind something onto a reel
reel out phrasal verb
to let a line unwind

Commonly confused: reel in or reel off?

reel in vs reel off

Reel off means to say a long list quickly from memory. Reel in means to bring something closer on a line.

Practice

The angler waited until the fish tired and then began to ___ it ___.

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