Fitting in 2 fit in (phrasal verb): to feel that you belong to a particular group and are accepted by that group
Discuss
1 Look at the definition. Then discuss the questions below in pairs or small groups.
1
How important is it to fit in with other people?
2
What different groups do you belong to? Think about the areas below and add groups to the diagram. Then compare with another student. ▸ your family life ▸ your social life ▸ your village / town / area / country ▸ your school life ▸ your interests
3
Can you think of any reasons why it might not always be a good idea to fit in with others?
Figure
Practice
2 Read the beginning of an article. Then complete the tasks on page 19.
MODERN LIVING | LIFESTYLE
If you put the words fitting in and belonging into an Internet search engine, you’ll find that you get very different results. Nearly all the lifestyle advice and self-help sites seem to agree that a feeling of belonging is unquestionably ‘a good thing’, something that we all need if we want to be healthy, happy people.
In contrast, fitting in is almost always presented as something we need to avoid. One quotation (from the children’s writer and artist Dr Seuss) that often turns up is this one: ‘Why try to fit in when you were born to stand out?’ The implication is clear: fitting in is a bad idea, standing out or being different is good.
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