butt in
B1 informal intransitive
In simple words
To push yourself into a conversation or situation when nobody asked for your opinion.
Literal meaning: To push with your butt (buttocks) to get in — like an animal using its head to push its way in.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To rudely interrupt a conversation between other people.
"My brother always butts in when I'm trying to talk on the phone — it's so annoying."
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
To interfere in a situation or matter that does not concern you.
"This is a private family decision — please don't butt in."
Usage notes
Always has a negative connotation — the person who butts in is seen as rude or nosy. Common in everyday American and British English. Often used as a complaint: 'Stop butting in!'
Commonly used with
conversation discussion argument business line affairs
Forms
Base
butt in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
butts in
he/she/it
Past simple
butted in
yesterday
Past participle
butted in
have + pp
-ing form
butting in
continuous
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Synonyms
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