barge in
Definition
Verb (phrasal verb): 1. To interrupt a conversation or activity abruptly and often rudely: To enter into a discussion or situation without being asked and without consideration for others who are already involved. 2. To enter a place suddenly and without invitation: To go into a room, building, or event forcefully or in an unannounced manner.
Usage and Examples
- To interrupt a conversation:
- We were having a private discussion when he barged in with his unsolicited advice.
- Please don't barge in while I'm on an important call.
- To enter a place uninvited:
- The kids barged in without knocking, startling everyone.
- He just barged in on the meeting, even though it was for managers only.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- The phrasal verb often carries a negative connotation, implying intrusion, rudeness, or a lack of manners.
- It can be used both literally (physically entering a space) and figuratively (interrupting a flow of thought or conversation).
- The preposition "on" can be used to specify what is being interrupted (e.g., "barge in on a conversation," "barge in on a meeting").
Variants and Related Words
- Barge (verb): To move forcefully or roughly. Often used with "into" or "through."
- He barged into the room.
- She barged past the crowd.
Synonyms
- Interrupt: To stop the continuous progress of an activity or process.
- Intrude: To put oneself into a situation where one is not welcome or invited.
- Butt in (informal): To interrupt a conversation or activity.
- Chime in (often informal): To join a conversation by making a remark, sometimes abruptly.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Break in: To interrupt when someone else is talking.
- "I must break in here," she said, "because that's not what happened."
- Cut in: To interrupt someone speaking.
- He kept cutting in before I could finish my sentence.
- Crash (a party/gathering): To attend a social event without an invitation.
- They tried to crash the wedding reception.
Related Idioms
- Put one's oar in: To give an opinion without being asked, especially when it is not welcome. (British English)
- He's always putting his oar in about things he knows nothing about.
Verb
-
break into a conversation
-
her husband always chimes in, even when he is not involved in the conversation
-
-
enter uninvited; informal
-
let's crash the party!
-