To be in for it

In In, prep. [AS. in; akin to D. & G. in, Icel. [=i], Sw. & Dan. i, OIr. & L. in, Gr. 'en. [root]197. Cf. 1st {In-}, {Inn}.] The specific signification of in is situation or place with respect to surrounding, environment, encompassment, etc. It is used with verbs signifying being, resting, or moving within limits, or within circumstances or conditions of any kind conceived of as limiting, confining, or investing, either wholly or in part. In its different applications, it approaches some of the meanings of, and sometimes is interchangeable with, within, into, on, at, of, and among. It is used: [1913 Webster]

1. With reference to space or place; as, he lives in Boston; he traveled in Italy; castles in the air. [1913 Webster]

The babe lying in a manger. --Luke ii. 16. [1913 Webster]

Thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Situated in the forty-first degree of latitude. --Gibbon. [1913 Webster]

Matter for censure in every page. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

2. With reference to circumstances or conditions; as, he is in difficulties; she stood in a blaze of light. ``Fettered in amorous chains.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Wrapt in sweet sounds, as in bright veils. --Shelley. [1913 Webster]

3. With reference to a whole which includes or comprises the part spoken of; as, the first in his family; the first regiment in the army. [1913 Webster]

Nine in ten of those who enter the ministry. --Swift. [1913 Webster]

4. With reference to physical surrounding, personal states, etc., abstractly denoted; as, I am in doubt; the room is in darkness; to live in fear. [1913 Webster]

When shall we three meet again, In thunder, lightning, or in rain? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. With reference to character, reach, scope, or influence considered as establishing a limitation; as, to be in one's favor. ``In sight of God's high throne.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Sounds inharmonious in themselves, and harsh. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]

6. With reference to movement or tendency toward a certain limit or environment; -- sometimes equivalent to into; as, to put seed in the ground; to fall in love; to end in death; to put our trust in God. [1913 Webster]

He would not plunge his brother in despair. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

She had no jewels to deposit in their caskets. --Fielding. [1913 Webster]

7. With reference to a limit of time; as, in an hour; it happened in the last century; in all my life. [1913 Webster]

{In as much as}, or {Inasmuch as}, in the degree that; in like manner as; in consideration that; because that; since. See {Synonym} of {Because}, and cf. {For as much as}, under {For}, prep.

{In that}, because; for the reason that. ``Some things they do in that they are men . . .; some things in that they are men misled and blinded with error.'' --Hooker.

{In the name of}, in behalf of; on the part of; by authority; as, it was done in the name of the people; -- often used in invocation, swearing, praying, and the like.

{To be in for it}. (a) To be in favor of a thing; to be committed to a course. (b) To be unable to escape from a danger, penalty, etc. [Colloq.]

{To be in with} or {To keep in with}. (a) To be close or near; as, to keep a ship in with the land. (b) To be on terms of friendship, familiarity, or intimacy with; to secure and retain the favor of. [Colloq.]

Syn: Into; within; on; at. See {At}. [1913 Webster]