# be in

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

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

## Definition

to be at home or in your office when someone visits or calls.

For teachers: to be present at a specific location, typically one's residence or place of work; functions as an intransitive phrasal verb in this sense.

## Examples

- I'll be in all morning if you want to call.
- The manager won't be in until Tuesday because she is attending a conference.
- Despite the lights being on, nobody seemed to be in when the courier attempted to deliver the package.

## Pitfalls

- Not "Is your boss in to his office?" but "Is your boss in?" — when 'in' means 'present', it does not require a following prepositional phrase like 'to his office'.

## Usage notes

- often used in the negative to explain someone's absence.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'be out'; note that 'be in' can also mean 'to be fashionable' or 'to have submitted work', but the 'present' sense is most common for A2 learners.

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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.