The phrasal verb 'dine in' is commonly used in both informal and formal speech, though it leans slightly towards the informal side. It refers to eating a meal at home or at a place one refers to as home, as opposed to dining out at restaurants or other eateries. This phrasal verb is frequently used in discussions about meal plans, especially in the context of budgeting or health-conscious choices, highlighting a preference for home-cooked meals over restaurant experiences. Additionally, 'dine in' might appear in marketing materials from food delivery services promoting meals that customers can enjoy at home. Its usage is often found in everyday conversations, social media, and occasionally in more formal culinary contexts when distinguishing between different dining options.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To eat or have a meal at home rather than at a restaurant or elsewhere.
They decided to dine in because it was raining heavily.
Due to the pandemic, more people are choosing to dine in these days.
2. To eat a meal at a specific establishment, like a restaurant that offers both in-house dining and take-out.
We could dine in at the new Italian place or just get take-out.
Do you want to dine in or should we order something to eat at home?