13 → see also fitted , fitting
14 fit the bill → see bill
15 to fit like a glove → see glove
16 not in a fit state → see state
▸ fit in
1 PHRASAL VERB If you manage to fit a person or task in , you manage to find time to deal with them. □ [V n P ] We work long hours and we rush around trying to fit everything in. □ [V P n] I find that I just can't fit in regular domestic work.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you fit in as part of a group, you seem to belong there because you are similar to the other people in it. □ [V P ] She was great with the children and fitted in beautifully.
3 PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone or something fits in , you understand how they form part of a particular situation or system. □ [V P ] He knew where I fitted in and what he had to do to get the best out of me. □ [V P + with ] This fits in with what you've told me.
▸ fit into
1 PHRASAL VERB If you fit into a particular group, you seem to belong there because you are similar to the other people in it. □ [V P n] It's hard to see how he would fit into the team.
2 PHRASAL VERB If something fits into a particular situation or system, that seems to be the right place for it. □ [V P n] Most film locations broadly fit into two categories: private property and public place.
▸ fit out in BRIT, also use fit up PHRASAL VERB If you fit someone or something out , or you fit them up , you provide them with equipment and other things that they need. □ [V n P + for ] We helped to fit him out for a trip to the Baltic. □ [V P n] They spent 18 million pounds of Government funds fitting out the London headquarters. [Also V n P ]
▸ fit up
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone fits another person up , they try to make it seem that that person is responsible for a crime. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] Mr Stone said inmates who had given evidence were trying to fit him up. □ [V P n] We were called in to defend the police officer who had fitted up the young boy.
2 → see also fit out
➋ fit ◆◇◇ /f I t/ (fitter , fittest )
→ Please look at categories 3 and 4 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 ADJ Someone who is fit is healthy and physically strong. □ An averagely fit person can master easy ski runs within a few days. ● fit|ness N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] □ Squash was once thought to offer all-round fitness.
2 ADJ If you describe someone as fit , you mean that they are good-looking. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ About an hour later a really fit guy came up to me on the dance floor.
3 fit as a fiddle → see fiddle
4 fighting fit → see fight
➌ fit /f I t/ (fits )
1 N‑COUNT If someone has a fit they suddenly lose consciousness and their body makes uncontrollable movements. □ About two in every five epileptic fits occur during sleep.
2 N‑COUNT If you have a fit of coughing or laughter, you suddenly start coughing or laughing in an uncontrollable way. □ [+ of ] He went into a protracted fit of coughing.
3 N‑COUNT If you do something in a fit of anger or panic, you are very angry or afraid when you do it. □ [+ of ] Pattie shot Tom in a fit of jealous rage.
4 PHRASE If you say that someone will have a fit when they hear about something, you mean that they will be very angry or shocked. [INFORMAL ] □ He'd have a fit if he knew what we were up to!
5 PHRASE Something that happens in fits and starts or by fits and starts keeps happening and then stopping again. □ My slimming attempts tend to go in fits and starts. □ Military technology advances by fits and starts. COLLOCATIONS fit VERB ➊1
fit + adverb : comfortably, neatly, snugly; nicely, perfectly ADJ ➋1
adverb + fit : extremely, incredibly, supremely; mentally, physically; fairly, pretty, reasonably
fit|ful /f I tfʊl/ ADJ Something that is fitful happens for irregular periods of time or occurs at irregular times, rather than being continuous. □ Colin drifted off into a fitful sleep.
fit|ted /f I t I d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A fitted piece of clothing is designed so that it is the same size and shape as your body rather than being loose. □ …baggy trousers with fitted jackets.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A fitted piece of furniture, for example a cupboard, is designed to fill a particular space and is fixed in place. □ I've re-carpeted our bedroom and added fitted wardrobes.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] A fitted carpet is cut to the same shape as a room so that it covers the floor completely. □ …fitted carpets, central heating and double glazing.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] A fitted sheet has the corners sewn so that they fit over the corners of the mattress and do not have to be folded.
fit|ter /f I tə r / (fitters ) N‑COUNT A fitter is a person whose job is to put together, adjust, or install machinery or equipment. □ George was a fitter at the shipyard.
fit|ting /f I t I ŋ/ (fittings )
1 N‑COUNT A fitting is one of the smaller parts on the outside of a piece of equipment or furniture, for example a handle or a tap. □ …brass light fittings. □ …industrial fittings for kitchen and bathroom.