fit
[1] ( fits 3rd person present) ( fitting present participle) ( fitted past tense & past participle ) (BEING RIGHT OR GOING IN THE RIGHT PLACE)
In American English the form fit is used in the present tense and sometimes also as the past tense and past participle of the verb., Please look at category 13 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 verb If something fits, it is the right size and shape to go onto a person's body or onto a particular object.
The sash, kimono, and other garments were made to fit a child... V n
She has to go to the men's department to find trousers that fit at the waist... V prep/adv
Line a tin with lightly-greased greaseproof paper, making sure the corners fit well. V prep/adv
2 n-sing If something is a good fit, it fits well.
adj N
Eventually he was happy that the sills and doors were a reasonably good fit.
3 verb If you are fitted for a particular piece of clothing, you try it on so that the person who is making it can see where it needs to be altered.
usu passive
She was being fitted for her wedding dress. be V-ed for n
4 verb If something fits somewhere, it can be put there or is designed to be put there.
...a pocket computer which is small enough to fit into your pocket... V prep/adv
He folded his long legs to fit under the table... V prep/adv
5 verb If you fit something into a particular space or place, you put it there.
She fitted her key in the lock... V n prep/adv
When the crown has been made you go back and the dentist will fit it into place. V n prep/adv
6 verb If you fit something somewhere, you attach it there, or put it there carefully and securely.
Fit hinge bolts to give extra support to the door lock... V n
Peter had built the overhead ladders, and the next day he fitted them to the wall... V n prep
7 verb If something fits something else or fits into it, it goes together well with that thing or is able to be part of it.
Her daughter doesn't fit the current feminine ideal... V n
Fostering is a full-time job and you should carefully consider how it will fit into your career... V in/into n
There's something about the way he talks of her that doesn't fit. V
8 verb You can say that something fits a particular person or thing when it is appropriate or suitable for them or it.
(=match)
The punishment must always fit the crime. V n
9 adj If something is fit for a particular purpose, it is suitable for that purpose.
oft ADJ for n, ADJ to-inf, ADJ n to-inf, ADJ n for n
Of the seven bicycles we had, only two were fit for the road., ...safety measures intended to reassure consumers that the meat is fit to eat...
10 adj If someone is fit to do something, they have the appropriate qualities or skills that will allow them to do it.
oft ADJ to-inf, ADJ for n, ADJ n for n, ADJ n to-inf
You're not fit to be a mother!..., He was not a fit companion for their skipper that particular morning.
♦
fitness n-uncount N for n, N to-inf
There is a debate about his fitness for the highest office...
11 verb If something fits someone for a particular task or role, it makes them good enough or suitable for it.
FORMAL ...a man whose past experience fits him for the top job in education... V n for n
It is not a person's gender that fits them to be a vicar but what is in their hearts. V n to-inf
12 If you say that someone sees fitto do something, you mean that they are entitled to do it, but that you disapprove of their decision to do it.
FORMAL
♦
see fit phrase V inflects (disapproval)
He's not a friend, you say, yet you saw fit to lend him money.
13
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fitted
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fitting
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fit the bill
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bill
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to fit like a glove
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glove
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not in a fit state
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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.
We work long hours both outside and inside the home and we rush around trying to fit everything in... V n P
I find that I just can't fit in regular domestic work. V P n (not pron)
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.
She was great with the children and fitted in beautifully. V P
3 phrasal verb If you say that someone or something fits in, you understand how they form part of a particular situation or system.
He knew where I fitted in and what he had to do to get the best out of me... V P
This fits in with what you've told me. V P with n 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.
It's hard to see how he would fit into the team. V P n (not pron)
2 phrasal verb If something fits into a particular situation or system, that seems to be the right place for it.
Most film locations broadly fit into two categories; those on private property and those in a public place. V P n fit out phrasal verb
in BRIT, also use fit up If you fit someone or something out, or you fit them up, you provide them with equipment and other things that they need.
(=kit out)
We helped to fit him out for a trip to the Baltic... V n P for n
They spent 18 million pounds of Government funds fitting out the London headquarters. V P n (not pron), 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
(=frame)
Mr Stone said inmates who had given evidence were trying to `fit him up'... V n P
There can never be any legitimate basis for police officers to fit up suspects they `know' to be guilty. V P n (not pron)