Using prepositions in sentences is very common, pretty much every sentence includes prepositions. If you aren’t sure what they are, head to my grammar section to find out.

prepositional phrases with IN list

Learn some prepositional phrases with the preposition ‘in’.

  • in a class of one’s own – much better than someone/something similar, nothing else compares
  • in a different league – much better at doing something
  • in a nutshell – in a few words, brief
  • in a pickle – in a difficult situation
  • in a strop – when a person in in a bad mood
  • in a tick – soon, in a moment
  • in a time warp – old-fashioned
  • in an instant – something happens very quickly
  • in bad shape – unhealthy, bad condition
  • in broad daylight – surprise that something is happening during daylight hours
  • in cold blood – deliberately, ruthlessly, without emotion
  • in deep water – in difficulty/trouble
  • in due course – something will happen when the time is right
  • in for a penny, in for a pound – finish something you have started even if it may be difficult
  • in for the high jump – likely to be punished
  • in full swing – operating fully, the level of activity is at its highest
  • in good shape – fit and healthy
  • in hot water – in a lot of trouble
  • in it for the long haul – continue with something until the end/for a long time
  • in no time – very soon
  • in one – one single attempt
  • in one fell swoop – using a single action
  • in one piece – not hurt or damaged
  • in one’s blood – a skill/characteristic you have inherited from your family
  • in one’s head – you have imagined something
  • in one’s own time – do something at the speed you choose
  • in over one’s head – involved in a situation that has become too difficult, risky
  • in remission – an illness being controlled/decreasing (especially cancer)
  • in season – the period when fresh food is in abundance
  • in sickness and in health – a marriage vow
  • in someone’s corner – give someone your full support
  • in someone’s pocket – under someone’s control/influence
  • in stock – goods are available
  • in the bag – something is secure or certain
  • in the black – have money, not be in debt
  • in the blink of an eye – very quickly
  • in the buff – naked
  • in the club – pregnant
  • in the cold light of day – think about emotional matters when you are calmer
  • in the dog house – someone is angry/annoyed with you
  • in the driver’s seat – be in control
  • in the family – way pregnant
  • in the flesh – meet someone face to face
  • in the hot seat – being faced with criticism/questioning/punishment/scrutiny
  • in the land of the living – alive/awake
  • in the long run – over a long period of time
  • in the money – suddenly have lots of money
  • in the nick of time – at the last possible moment before disaster
  • in the pipeline – being planned, about to start
  • in the red – in debt
  • in the running – a contender in a competition
  • in the same boat – in the same situation as another person
  • in the same league – on the same level of skill (or not)
  • in two minds – undecided
  • in two shakes of a lamb’s tail – in a very short time

Take a look at the examples with pictures to gain a better understanding of the meaning.

prepositional phrases with in
prepositional phrases - IN - a class of one’s own
in a different league
in a nutshell
in a pickle
in a strop
in a tick
in a time warp
prepositional phrases - IN - in an instant
in bad shape
prepositional phrases - IN - in broad daylight
prepositional phrases - IN - in cold blood
prepositional phrases - IN - in deep water
in due course
in for a penny, in for a pound
prepositional phrases - IN - in for the high jump
prepositional phrases - IN - in full swing
prepositional phrases - IN - in good shape
in hot water
in it for the long haul
in no time
in one fell swoop
in one piece
in one
in one’s own time
in one's blood
in one's head
in over one’s head
in remission
in season
prepositional phrases - IN - in sickness and in health
prepositional phrases - IN - in someone's corner
in someone's pocket
prepositional phrases - IN - in stock
prepositional phrases - IN - in the black
prepositional phrases - IN - in the blink of an eye
in the buff
in the club
in the cold light of day
in the dog house
in the driver’s seat
prepositional phrases - IN - in the family way
prepositional phrases - IN - in the flesh
in the hot seat
in the long run
in the money
prepositional phrases - IN - in the nick of time
in the pipeline
prepositional phrases - IN - in the red
prepositional phrases - IN - in the running
prepositional phrases - IN - in the same boat
in the same league
in two minds
in two shakes of a lamb’s tail