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INS

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love-in

1. A gathering focused on personal pleasure involving music, drugs, and sexual acts. Margaret reminisced about when she used to attend love-ins in the '60s.

2. A situation involving lavish mutual praise and admiration. The office party became a love-in as the managers all congratulated each other on their various accomplishments.

shoo-in

Someone or something that is predicted to easily win a competition. Julia is a shoo-in for this year's spelling bee—she's the best speller in the whole town.

ins and outs (of something)

the correct and successful way to do something; the special things that one needs to know to do something. I don't understand the ins and outs of politics. Jane knows the ins and outs of repairing computers.

See also: and, INS, out

the ins and outs of something

the details or facts about something In a matter of weeks we all became experts in the ins and outs of airline security. Hong was still learning the ins and outs of the North American market.

See also: and, INS, of, out

the ins and outs

  (informal)

the details or facts about something (usually + of ) I don't know all the ins and outs of the situation but I gather Roger and Mark haven't been getting on too well.

See also: and, INS, out

ins and outs

1. The intricate details of a situation or process. For example, It takes a newcomer some time to learn the ins and outs of the legislative process, or David really knows the ins and outs of how this engine works. This usage alludes to the tortuous windings and turnings of a road or path. [Second half of 1600s]

2. Those with position and influence and those without, especially those in office versus those who are not, as in "Juan stood well both with Ins and Outs" (Byron, Don Juan, 1823). [Mid-1700s]

See also: and, INS, out

the ins and outs

n. the fine points (of something); the details; the intricacies. I’m learning the ins and outs of this business.

See also: and, INS, out

love-in

1. n. an event during the 1960s where one or more couples made love in a public place. My uncle was at one of those love-ins, and he said if anything was going on, it was going on under blankets.

2. n. an event in the 1960s where everyone became euphoric—with the help of marijuana—about love and respect for their fellow humans. Everyone at the annual company love-in was throwing love bombs around at each other.

shoo-in

(ˈʃuɪn)

n. an easy winner. My horse was a shoo-in. It won by a mile.