What Does โCome in for sthโ Mean?
โCome in for sthโ means to receive or experience something, often criticism, praise, or attention, usually unexpectedly or as a result of oneโs actions.
Introduction
The phrase โcome in for sthโ is a common English phrasal verb used to describe when someone receives something, often something negative like criticism or blame. It can also refer to getting attention or praise. Understanding the โcome in for sth meaningโ helps learners recognize how this expression works in everyday conversations. This phrasal verb is useful because it often appears in news reports, discussions, and informal talks. Knowing how to use โcome in for sthโ correctly will help you express situations where someone is targeted or involved in receiving certain reactions or outcomes.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: come in for something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to receive something, especially criticism or blame
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โCome in for sthโ is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means you cannot separate the verb and the particle with the object. The object (something) always comes after the full phrasal verb.
- Correct: She came in for a lot of criticism.
- Incorrect: She came a lot of criticism in for.
Pattern: come in for + noun (something)
How to Use โCome in for sthโ?
Use โcome in for sthโ when you want to say someone receives or experiences something, often negative like criticism, blame, or punishment. It can also be used for positive things like praise or attention but is more common in negative contexts.
This phrase is often used in formal and informal English, especially in news, reports, or conversations about reactions to actions or events.
Examples
- The politician came in for harsh criticism after the scandal.
- The company came in for praise for its environmental efforts.
- She came in for a lot of blame when the project failed.
- The movie came in for mixed reviews from critics.
- He came in for some well-deserved compliments.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: He came a lot of criticism in for.
- Correct: He came in for a lot of criticism.
- Incorrect: They came in the blame for the mistake.
- Correct: They came in for the blame for the mistake.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar expressions include:
- Receive criticism: A more formal way to say โcome in for criticismโ.
- Face criticism: Means to confront or deal with criticism, often used interchangeably.
- Get blamed: More casual and direct, but โcome in for blameโ is more common in formal contexts.
The main difference is that โcome in for sthโ often implies receiving something as a result of actions, while โfaceโ emphasizes confronting it.
Common Collocations
- Come in for criticism
- Come in for praise
- Come in for blame
- Come in for attention
- Come in for punishment
- Come in for compliments
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of come in for sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Did you hear about the manager? He came in for a lot of criticism after the meeting.
John: Yes, everyone was unhappy with his decisions.
Anna: True, but he also came in for some praise for handling the budget well.
John: Thatโs right. It was a mixed reaction overall.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase:
- After the report was published, the company __________ severe criticism.
- The teacher __________ praise for her innovative methods.
- He __________ blame for the mistake, even though it wasnโt his fault.
Answers: came in for
FAQs
- Q: Can โcome in forโ be used with positive things?
A: Yes, but it is mostly used for criticism or blame. It can also mean praise or attention. - Q: Is โcome in forโ separable?
A: No, it is inseparable. The object always comes after the full phrase. - Q: What level is โcome in for sthโ suitable for?
A: It is best for intermediate learners (B2 level) and above. - Q: Can I use โcome in forโ with actions?
A: No, it is used with nouns like criticism, praise, or blame, not actions. - Q: What is a synonym for โcome in for criticismโ?
A: You can say โface criticismโ or โreceive criticism.โ
