work in

To find time or space to include someone or something among other things.

• We can work in a short break.
• The doctor worked me in before lunch.
• Could you work a personal story into your talk?

How to use it: work someone/something in (The dentist can work you in tomorrow.); work something into something (She worked a joke into her speech.)

Similar words: fit in, include, squeeze in

Opposites: exclude

Common phrases: work in something, work in someone

To mix or press something into another substance.

• Work in the butter with your fingers.
• She worked the flour in slowly.
• Have you worked the compost in the soil?

How to use it: work something in (Add the butter and work it in gently.); work something in something (Work the eggs in the batter until it is smooth.)

Similar words: mix in, blend in

Common phrases: work in butter, work in the flour

To use a gym machine during the breaks between another person’s exercises on it.

• Can I work in while you rest?
• We worked in with each other on the chest machine.
• She let another member work in between her sets.

How to use it: work in with someone (May I work in with you on this machine?)

Similar words: take turns

Common phrases: work in with someone, work in between sets