Phrasal verb
be in on
Definition
phrasal verb. to be part of a group that knows a secret or is involved in a private plan.
phrasal verb. to be privy to or a participant in a secret, scheme, or specific activity.
Examples
“Are you in on the surprise party?”
“Only a few managers were in on the plan to sell the company before the news went public.”
“While the public remained unaware of the impending merger, several high-level executives had been in on the negotiations for months.”
Examples
simple
“Are you in on the surprise party?”
contextual
“Only a few managers were in on the plan to sell the company before the news went public.”
complex
“While the public remained unaware of the impending merger, several high-level executives had been in on the negotiations for months.”
Usage
usually followed by a noun phrase representing a secret, joke, or plan.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'be in' (to be at home/office); the addition of 'on' shifts the meaning from physical location to shared knowledge or participation.
Pitfall
He was in the secret.
He was in on the secret.
the preposition 'on' is required to show participation in a plan or secret.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
be + in + on + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/be-in-on