in character


in character

1. Very typical of the way someone would normally speak or behave. I've come to realize that the selfishness and nasty comments are all pretty in character for him. A: "The last time I saw her, she was trying to hook up with Janet's boyfriend." B: "Yeah, that sounds in character, all right."2. Consistent with the traits or characteristics assigned to the character that one plays, as in a film or play. Don't be afraid, sweetie. Daddy's just in character—he's pretending to be a bad man for his movie! As part of his method acting, he remained in character for the full nine months of filming.See also: character

in character

Fig. typical of someone's behavior. For Tom to shout that way wasn't at all in character. He's usually quite pleasant. It was quite in character for Sally to walk away angry.See also: character

in character

Consistent with someone's general personality or behavior. For example, Her failure to answer the invitation was completely in character. This usage dates from the mid-1700s, as does the antonym, out of character, as in It was out of character for him to refuse the assignment. See also: character

ˌin/ˌout of ˈcharacter

(of somebody’s behaviour, etc.) of the kind you would/would not expect from them; characteristic/uncharacteristic: That unpleasant remark she made was quite out of character. ♢ ‘I’m sure it was Bill I saw from the bus. He was arguing with a police officer.’ ‘Well, that’s in character, anyway!’See also: character, of, out

in character

Consistent with someone's general character or behavior: behavior that was totally in character.See also: character