1 B1 neutral
To submit a document, form, or entry to an organisation or competition.
"Make sure you send in your application before the deadline on Friday."
separable
send in
B1 neutral separable transitive
To submit something formally, or to deploy people into a situation.
In plain English
To send something to an organisation, or to order people to go into a place to deal with a problem.
What does "send in" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To order people (troops, police, specialists) to enter a place and deal with a situation.
"The government decided to send in the army to help with flood relief."
“
We will send in troops to restore order if necessary.
— Widely attributed to various political press briefings; common journalistic formulation in British broadsheets
separable
3 A2 neutral
To ask someone to enter a room where others are waiting to speak to them.
"The receptionist said, 'I'll send him in as soon as the meeting ends.'"
separable
Usage tip
Very common for submitting applications, entries, and complaints. Also used for deploying emergency services, military, or specialist teams.
Words that pair with "send in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
application troops entry complaint reinforcements form
How to conjugate "send in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
send in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sends in
he/she/it
Past simple
sent in
yesterday
Past participle
sent in
have + pp
-ing form
sending in
continuous
Hear "send in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "send in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "send in"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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