deal in

To buy and sell a particular type of goods as a business.

• They deal in used cars.
• Her family dealt in rare books.
• Does this company deal in gold?

How to use it: deal in something (The shop deals in secondhand furniture.)

Similar words: trade in

Common phrases: deal in something, deal in antiques

To use a particular kind of information as the basis for judgments or decisions.

• We deal in facts here.
• The panel refused to deal in rumors.
• A good judge deals in evidence when making decisions.

How to use it: deal in something (Our investigators deal in evidence, not guesses.)

Similar words: rely on, work with

Common phrases: deal in facts, deal in evidence

To give cards to someone so they can join a card game.

• Deal me in, please.
• She dealt the new player in.
• Can you deal him in for the next round?

How to use it: deal someone in (Deal me in for the next hand.)

Common phrases: deal someone in, deal in someone

To be interested or involved in a particular subject or activity.

• He deals in ideas rather than practical tasks.
• Her essays deal in questions of beauty.
• The group has always dealt in local politics.

How to use it: deal in something (Her poetry deals in questions of identity.)

Similar words: concern oneself with, be interested in

Common phrases: deal in ideas, deal in politics

To let someone join a plan or activity, often giving them a share of its rewards.

• Deal me in on the plan.
• They dealt him in for a share of the profits.
• Will you deal your sister in on the project?

How to use it: deal someone in on something (They dealt her in on the new business venture.)

Similar words: include, cut in

Opposites: exclude

Common phrases: deal someone in, deal in someone

In mahjong, you throw away a tile that another player uses to win.

• Try not to deal in.
• She dealt in by discarding a dangerous tile.
• If you deal in, your opponent wins the hand.

Common phrases: deal in again, deal in accidentally