1 B1 idiomatic informal
To enter a place abruptly and rudely, without being invited.
"She barged into the director's office demanding an explanation."
inseparable
barge into
B1 informal inseparable transitive
To enter a place or collide with someone forcefully and without care; to interrupt something intrusively.
In plain English
To push your way into somewhere or bump into someone carelessly; to rudely interrupt something.
What does "barge into" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 informal
To collide forcefully and carelessly with a person or object.
"He wasn't looking where he was going and barged into me on the stairs."
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
To intrude on a social situation or conversation without being wanted.
"I didn't mean to barge into your private discussion."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move into something like a barge — heavy and without finesse.
Actually means
To push your way into somewhere or bump into someone carelessly; to rudely interrupt something.
Usage tip
This is the transitive counterpart of 'barge in', taking a specific place, person, or event as its object. Can describe physical collision as well as social intrusion.
Words that pair with "barge into"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
room meeting conversation office crowd person
How to conjugate "barge into"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
barge into
I/you/we/they
3rd person
barges into
he/she/it
Past simple
barged into
yesterday
Past participle
barged into
have + pp
-ing form
barging into
continuous
Hear "barge into" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "barge into" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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