INDEX:
to be the right size
1. when clothes are the right size
2. when clothes are not the right size
3. to be the right size for a particular space
4. to be almost too big to fit into a space
physically strong and healthy
5. physically strong and healthy
6. not fit
RELATED WORDS
see also
↑ CLOTHES
↑ TIGHT
↑ LOOSE
↑ SUIT/LOOK GOOD TOGETHER
↑ SIZE
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1. when clothes are the right size
▷ fit /fɪt/ [intransitive/transitive verb not in progressive or passive]
if clothes fit, they are the right size :
▪ He’s put on so much weight that his clothes don’t fit any more.
▪ Do these shoes still fit you?
fit like a glove
fit perfectly
▪ The pants were a little tight at first, but after I wore them a few times, they fit like a glove.
▷ be the right size /biː ðə ˌraɪt ˈsaɪz/ [verb phrase]
▪ Why don’t you try it on to see if it’s the right size?
▪ They had the jacket I wanted and it was just the right size too.
be the right size for
▪ Are you sure those shoes are the right size for Bill?
▷ be a good fit /biː ə ˌgʊd ˈfɪt/ [verb phrase]
to fit very well and be comfortable to wear :
▪ The suit was a good fit, but I didn’t like the pattern.
▪ I had to guess what size she was, but fortunately the dress was a good fit.
▷ grow into /ˈgrəʊ ɪntuː/ [transitive phrasal verb not in passive]
if a child or young person grows into clothes, they grow big enough to be able to wear them :
▪ I know the sweater’s too big for Jenny, but she’ll soon grow into it.
2. when clothes are not the right size
▷ not fit /nɒt ˈfɪt/ [intransitive/transitive verb not in progressive or passive]
▪ If the boots don’t fit, we can return them tomorrow.
not fit somebody
▪ There was nothing wrong with the coat - we took it back to the shop because it didn’t fit her.
▷ be too big/small /biː ˌtuː ˈbɪg, ˈsmɔːl/ [verb phrase]
▪ You can’t wear your father’s suit, it’s far too big.
▪ I have to buy Tim some new sandals. The ones he’s wearing are too small.
be too big/small for
▪ Those jeans must be two sizes too big for you.
▷ not be the right size /nɒt biː ðə ˌraɪt ˈsaɪz/ [verb phrase]
▪ I bought him a shirt, but it wasn’t the right size.
not be the right size for
▪ That sweater won’t be the right size for him -- he’ll need an extra-large.
▷ tight /taɪt/ [adjective]
clothes that are tight are uncomfortable to wear because they are too small and press into your body :
▪ I don’t wear my black dress very much. It’s very tight around the waist.
▪ If your shirt collar’s too tight, undo your top button.
▷ can’t get into /ˌkɑːnt get ˈɪntuː ǁˌkænt-/ [verb phrase]
if you can’t get into a dress, skirt, trousers etc, you have difficulty putting them on because they are too small :
▪ I put on five pounds over Christmas and now I can’t get into these jeans.
3. to be the right size for a particular space
▷ be the right size /biː ðə ˌraɪt ˈsaɪz/ [verb phrase]
▪ We didn’t know if the carpet would fit in the bedroom, but it turned out to be just the right size.
be the right size for
▪ Do you think this bulb is the right size for the lamp?
▷ fit /fɪt/ [intransitive/transitive verb not in progressive or passive]
to be the right shape or not too big for a particular space, hole etc :
▪ We were going to put the fridge between the stove and the washing machine, but it wouldn’t fit.
▪ Does your key fit the lock on the garage door?
fit in/into
▪ Will this bag fit in the trunk?
▪ We’ve designed a computer that fits into an ordinary briefcase.
▷ will go /wɪl ˈgəʊ/ [verb phrase]
if something will go into a particular place or space, it is possible to put it there :
▪ It’s no good trying to force it, it just won’t go.
will go in/into
▪ Do you think the car will go in that parking space?
▪ I’ve measured the space, and with a bit of luck, the washing machine should just about go into it.
4. to be almost too big to fit into a space
▷ squeeze /skwiːz/ [intransitive verb]
to get into a space with great difficulty and only by forcing your way into it because the space is almost too small for you :
squeeze into/through/past etc
▪ The tunnel was so narrow that only one person at a time could squeeze into it.
▪ I squeezed through a hole in the hedge into the garden.
squeeze in
▪ The bus was already full but someone opened the doors and another passenger squeezed in.
▷ be a squeeze /biː ə ˈskwiːz/ [verb phrase]
use this to say that there are too many people or things in a small space :
▪ It’ll be a squeeze but I think we can get everyone into Stephen’s car.
it’s a tight squeeze
▪ We got everything into the suitcase, but it was a tight squeeze.
5. physically strong and healthy
▷ fit British /physically fit American /fɪt, ˌfɪzə̇kli ˈfɪt/ [adjective]
healthy and strong, especially because you play sport or do exercise regularly :
▪ Sandy’s very fit - he runs five miles every day.
▪ Just because you’re in your sixties doesn’t mean you can’t be physically fit.
keep fit/stay fit
remain fit
▪ Cycling is a good way to keep fit.
▪ We’ve got a match next month, so we’ve got to keep ourselves reasonably fit.
▪ I stay fit by swimming for an hour each morning.
(physical) fitness [uncountable noun]
▪ I began running about a month ago to improve my physical fitness.
▪ The magazine contained several articles about healthy eating, fitness, and exercise.
▷ be in shape /biː ɪn ˈʃeɪp/ [verb phrase]
if you are in shape, you are not fat and you can play sport or do exercise without getting tired :
▪ I’ll start playing basketball with you as soon as I’m in shape.
be in good shape
▪ She’s in pretty good shape but I don’t know if she’ll be able to run a marathon.
stay in shape/keep in shape
to exercise regularly
▪ Walking to and from work helps me to stay in shape.
▪ He’s good at badminton but plays handball to keep in shape.
▷ be in good condition /biː ɪn ˌgʊd kənˈdɪʃ ə n/ [verb phrase]
to be generally fit and healthy, especially because you take exercise regularly :
▪ We were both good runners and in good condition but we still found the course difficult.
keep yourself in good condition
▪ Most of the players had kept themselves in good condition over the summer months.
▷ athletic /æθˈletɪk, əθ-/ [adjective]
fit, strong, and usually also good at sports :
▪ He can play any sport, he’s naturally athletic.
▪ If you want me to play, I will, but I’m not very athletic.
6. not fit
▷ unfit /ˌʌnˈfɪt/ [adjective] British
not fit and not able to do hard physical activities easily, especially because you do not take enough exercise :
▪ I realised how unfit I was when I tried to run up the stairs.
▪ The survey shows that the typical 16-year-old is unfit, lazy, and probably plays no sports at all.
▷ not be in shape/be out of shape/be out of condition /nɒt biː ɪn ˈʃeɪp, biː ˌaʊt əv ˈʃeɪp, biː ˌaʊt əv kənˈdɪʃ ə n/ [verb phrase]
to be unfit at the present time, especially when you have been fit in the past :
▪ He knew that he was out of condition and it would be risky to attempt the climb.
▪ I’ve been really out of shape since I stopped running every day.