# barge in

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/barge-in
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to enter a room or join a conversation suddenly and rudely without being invited.

For teachers: to enter a space or interrupt a situation abruptly and without permission; carries a strong connotation of social clumsiness or lack of consideration for others' privacy.

## Examples

- I was sleeping when my brother decided to barge in.
- It is very rude to barge in on a private meeting without knocking first.
- The investigators decided to barge in during the suspect's dinner, hoping the element of surprise would prevent him from destroying any evidence.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He barged in the room." but "He barged into the room." — use 'into' for a physical space or 'on' for a situation; 'in' alone is used when no object follows.

## Usage notes

- often used with the preposition 'on' when followed by a person or an activity.
- Teaching tip: anchor the meaning with the physical image of a 'barge' (a heavy boat) pushing through water to help students remember the sense of forceful, clumsy movement.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.