Check in

Meaning

Hey! How was your trip to Spain?

It was great.
We checked in at the front desk around 4 p.m.

Was the hotel as nice as the pictures?

Even better!
The view from our room was amazing.

Hey, it's been a while.
How have you been?

I’m okay, just trying to manage work and life.
You?

Just calling to check in and see how you're doing.
Thought you might need a break.

That means a lot.
Honestly, I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed lately.

"Check in" is an intransitive, transitive, inseparable, separable phrasal verb.

Intransitive - It doesn't take a direct object in many of its common meanings.
Example 1: Please remember to check in at the front desk when you arrive.
Example 2: I’m just calling to check in and see how you're feeling after the surgery.
Transitive - A phrasal verb (a verb combined with a preposition or adverb) that requires a direct object to complete its meaning.
Example 1: The event coordinator checked the participants in as they arrived.
Example 2: The airline staff checked us in and handed us our boarding passes.
Inseparable - Where the object of the verb cannot be placed between the verb and the preposition/particle.
Example 1: Don’t forget to check in with your supervisor before starting the shift.
Example 2: He called to check in after hearing about the accident.
Separable - This means the object (if there is one) can be placed between the verb and the preposition.
Example 1: Could you check the guests in while I finish setting up the room?
Example 2: She checked the new employee in before showing him around.

Related words: Clock in, drop by, enroll, follow up, reach out, register, report, report in, sign in, touch base.