1 A2 informal
To order food from a restaurant to be delivered to your home or workplace.
"I don't feel like cooking — let's just order in tonight."
order in
A2 informal intransitive
To order food from a restaurant or delivery service to be brought to your home or workplace.
In plain English
To call a restaurant and have food brought to your house.
What does "order in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To arrange for supplies or goods to be delivered to a workplace or organisation.
"The office manager ordered in extra chairs for the conference."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To order (food) so it comes in (to where you are).
Actually means
To call a restaurant and have food brought to your house.
Usage tip
Very common in everyday American and British English, especially since the rise of food delivery apps. Often contrasted with 'cook' or 'go out'. Also used as 'order in food/pizza'.
Words that pair with "order in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
pizza Chinese food Indian sushi tonight delivery
How to conjugate "order in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
order in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
orders in
he/she/it
Past simple
ordered in
yesterday
Past participle
ordered in
have + pp
-ing form
ordering in
continuous
Hear "order in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "order in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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