English Reference

Phrasal verb

bring in

Definitions

01to introduce a law

B1 · Intermediate Law

phr.v. to introduce a new rule, law, or system.

phr.v. to officially introduce or implement a new law, regulation, or system of organisation.

“The government plans to bring in new laws to protect the environment.”

“The administration intends to bring in stricter regulations regarding carbon emissions before the end of the current legislative session.”

Usage

The object can be placed between 'bring' and 'in' or after the full phrase.

Antonyms

02to earn money

B2 · Upper Intermediate

phr.v. to earn a particular amount of money for a company or family.

phr.v. to generate or produce a specific amount of income or profit.

“His new business is starting to bring in a good profit.”

“The annual fundraising gala is expected to bring in over fifty thousand dollars for the local children's hospital.”

Usage

Commonly used with 'profit', 'income', or specific monetary amounts.

Antonyms

03to involve someone

B2 · Upper Intermediate

phr.v. to ask someone to join a project or group because they have special skills.

phr.v. to involve a person or group in a particular activity, project, or organisation, often for their expertise.

“We need to bring in an expert to help us with the technical parts.”

“The board decided to bring in a firm of consultants to oversee the restructuring of the marketing department.”

Antonyms

04to move indoors

A2 · Elementary

phr.v. to carry something from outside into a house or building.

phr.v. to move an object from an exterior location to an interior one.

“It is starting to rain, so please bring in the laundry.”

“The gardeners worked quickly to bring in the potted palms before the first frost of the season damaged the leaves.”

Synonyms

carry infetch

Antonyms

05to deliver a verdict

C1 · Advanced Law Formal

phr.v. to give an official decision in a court of law.

phr.v. to officially return or deliver a legal verdict or judgment.

“The jury took three days to bring in a guilty verdict.”

“After deliberating for nearly a week, the jury finally returned to the courtroom to bring in their verdict on all counts.”

Usage

Almost exclusively used with the noun 'verdict'.

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “bring in” in context.

Verb

01. bring in a ban

“They are going to bring in a ban on smoking in public parks.”

verb + noun

02. bring in a law

“The government plans to bring in a law to reduce plastic waste.”

verb + noun

03. bring in a system

“The company will bring in a system for tracking employee hours next month.”

verb + noun

04. bring in extra money

“She took a part-time job to bring in extra money for her holiday.”

verb + noun

05. bring in new rules

“The school decided to bring in new rules about using mobile phones in class.”

verb + noun

Adverb

06. gradually bring in

“The manager decided to gradually bring in the changes so staff could adapt.”

adv + verb

07. officially bring in

“The council will officially bring in the new parking restrictions on Monday.”

adv + verb

Teaching tip

this is a versatile phrasal verb; help students distinguish between the 'introduce' sense and the 'earn' sense by looking at the object (law vs. money).

Phrasal verb

Particles

in

Separability

optional

Pattern

bring + in + object

Synonyms

Antonyms

Grammar

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Level
B1 · IntermediateOxford
Updated

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