An act of taking in especially by deceiving

1. To accept; SYN. take up.
2. To fold up, of sails; SYN. gather in.
3. To make (clothes) smaller
4. To provide with shelter.
5. To take up as if with a sponge; SYN. sop up, suck in, take up.
6. To visit for entertainment

When you bring a car or other household appliance to a mechanic or repair person, you take it in.
When you take in a play, movie, museum, or other attraction, you go to it or see it.
When you allow people to live with you, you take them in.
When you are taken in by someone, that person successfully tricks or deceives you.
When you make an item of clothing smaller by changing the seams, you take it in.