Definition of the word work into

The phrase "work into" initially appeared in the English language during the 16th century. It is a phrasal verb composed of two parts, "work" and "into." "Work" itself has a very long history, dating back to Old English (c. 450-1066) when it meant "weave" or "spin." By the Middle English period (c. 1100-1485), "work" had evolved to mean "physical labor" or "an activity that requires effort." The preposition "into" has roots reaching back to Old English as well, with various meanings including "in, into, or unto." Its use in a phrasal verb such as "work into" involves the concept of "placing something into a situation or event" or "incorporating something into a larger whole." Overall, "work into" has come to mean "to introduce or incorporate something gradually or systematically into a larger context or situation." This usage first appeared in the second half of the 16th century and continues to be a common phrasal verb in modern English today.