1 A2 informal
To make a brief, casual visit to a place.
"We stopped in at the local bakery on our way to the park."
inseparable
stop in
A2 informal inseparable intransitive
To make a brief visit somewhere, or to stay at home instead of going out (British English).
In plain English
To visit somewhere quickly, or to stay at home.
What does "stop in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 informal
(British English) To stay at home rather than going out.
"I think I'll stop in tonight — I'm too tired to go to the party."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To stop and go in somewhere.
Actually means
To visit somewhere quickly, or to stay at home.
Usage tip
In American English, 'stop in' means to make a brief visit to a place. In British English, it can also mean to stay at home (especially for the evening). Context determines which sense is intended.
Words that pair with "stop in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
shop café office later evening home
How to conjugate "stop in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
stop in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stops in
he/she/it
Past simple
stoped in
yesterday
Past participle
stoped in
have + pp
-ing form
stoping in
continuous
Hear "stop in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "stop in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.