Phrasal verb
pop in
Definition
phrasal verb. To visit a person or a place for a short time, often without a plan. You use this when you want to sound casual about a quick visit.
phrasal verb. To make a brief, informal visit. The verb is intransitive, though it frequently precedes prepositional phrases indicating the destination or the person visited.
Examples
“I'll pop in to see you on my way home.”
“Since I was already in the neighborhood, I decided to pop in and say hello to my old neighbors.”
“While the CEO was visiting the regional office, she made a point to pop in on the design team to offer her personal thanks for their recent success.”
Examples
simple
“I'll pop in to see you on my way home.”
contextual
“Since I was already in the neighborhood, I decided to pop in and say hello to my old neighbors.”
complex
“While the CEO was visiting the regional office, she made a point to pop in on the design team to offer her personal thanks for their recent success.”
Usage
Usually implies a short duration and an informal atmosphere.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'visit' or 'drop by'; 'pop in' is particularly common in British English to minimize the importance of the visit.
Pitfall
I will pop in you later.
I will pop in to see you later.
The verb is intransitive and cannot take a person as a direct object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
pop + in
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- 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 · Intermediate
- Updated
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