1 B1 idiomatic informal
To enter a room or place suddenly and without consideration for others already there.
"He barged in without knocking right in the middle of our meeting."
inseparable
barge in
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To enter or interrupt suddenly and rudely, without being invited.
In plain English
To push your way into a place or conversation when you weren't asked to join.
What does "barge in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To interrupt a conversation or activity rudely and without invitation.
"Sorry to barge in, but I thought you should know the client has arrived."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To enter like a barge — a large, heavy boat that moves forcefully and is hard to steer; the idiomatic leap is to rude, intrusive entry.
Actually means
To push your way into a place or conversation when you weren't asked to join.
Usage tip
Used for both physical entry (walking into a room uninvited) and conversational interruption. The metaphor comes from a barge (a large, heavy boat) that moves clumsily. Common in everyday British and American English.
Words that pair with "barge in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
meeting conversation room discussion office unannounced
How to conjugate "barge in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
barge in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
barges in
he/she/it
Past simple
barged in
yesterday
Past participle
barged in
have + pp
-ing form
barging in
continuous
Hear "barge in" in the wild
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