Phrasal verb
buy in
Business
Definition
phrasal verb. to support an idea or plan because you believe it will be successful.
phrasal verb. to accept or commit to a concept, policy, or proposal; often used in organizational contexts to describe stakeholder agreement.
Examples
“I need the whole team to buy in to this new strategy.”
“The manager spent weeks explaining the changes to ensure everyone would buy in before the launch.”
“Without significant buy-in from the local community, the proposed infrastructure project is likely to face insurmountable political opposition.”
Examples
simple
“I need the whole team to buy in to this new strategy.”
contextual
“The manager spent weeks explaining the changes to ensure everyone would buy in before the launch.”
complex
“Without significant buy-in from the local community, the proposed infrastructure project is likely to face insurmountable political opposition.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “buy in” in context.
Verb
01. buy in to the vision
“It took months for the investors to finally buy in to the long-term vision.”
verb + prep + noun
02. fully buy in
“The staff will only work hard if they fully buy in to the new vision.”
adv + verb
03. need to buy in
“We need to buy in to the strategy if we want the project to succeed.”
verb + infinitive
04. refuse to buy in
“Several senior managers refuse to buy in to the proposed restructuring plan.”
verb + infinitive
Noun
05. employee buy in
“Without employee buy in, the new corporate policy will be impossible to implement.”
noun + noun
06. lack of buy in
“The initiative failed primarily due to a total lack of buy in from the local community.”
noun + of + noun
Usage
often used with the preposition 'to' before the object of support.
Teaching tip
this is a common 'business English' term; explain it as 'buying a share' in an idea to show you are invested in its success.
Pitfall
They bought in the plan.
They bought into the plan.
when followed by an object, the preposition 'into' or 'to' is usually required to show what is being supported.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
buy + in (+ to + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Domain
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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