crowd in

To enter or put many people into a small space, leaving little room.

• We all crowded in together.
• More passengers crowded in when the doors opened.
• Can we crowd everyone in for one photograph?

How to use it: crowd people in (The driver tried to crowd more passengers in.)

Similar words: squeeze in, pack in

Common phrases: crowd in together, crowd people in

To move closer from different sides until someone or something is surrounded.

• The fans crowded in around her.
• Reporters crowded in on him after the match.
• Trees crowded in on both sides of the narrow path.

How to use it: crowd in on someone/something (Reporters crowded in on the winner.); crowd in around someone/something (Fans crowded in around the singer.)

Similar words: close in, surround

Opposites: draw back

Common phrases: crowd in around someone, crowd in on someone

To use government spending to encourage businesses to invest their own money.

• The policy aims to crowd in investment.
• Better roads have crowded in private capital.
• Can government grants crowd in more business spending?

How to use it: crowd in something (Public funding can crowd in private investment.)

Similar words: stimulate private investment

Opposites: crowd out

Common phrases: crowd in investment, crowd in private capital