Introduction
If someone lets you ‘in on’ a secret, they tell it to you, and if you ‘get in on’ something, you get involved in it. Learn more about in on something here.
Transcript
Phil
Welcome to The English we speak, with me Phil…
Feifei
And me, Feifei.
Phil
We have a phrase which means to know about something or to be involved in it. it’s ‘in on something’.
Feifei
‘In on it’. What’s something that we can be in on, Phil?
Phil
Well, you know there are all those discussions about where we have our team meal? I could ask you if you are in on those discussions?
Feifei
I’m not in on them. And seeing as no-one ever seems to be able to agree, I’m glad I’m not in on them. Let the others sort it out.
Phil
That sounds sensible. So, here ‘in on’ means ‘be involved in’ – if you are ‘in on’ an argument, discussion, or project it means that you are involved in it. Now, that’s the ‘be involved in’ meaning of ‘in on’, but it can also be about knowing about something.
Feifei
Yes, we can use it for things like secrets. I’ll let you in on a secret – the team meal that everyone is arguing about… I heard from the boss that the company’s paying for it! If they can ever agree about where to go… but it’s a secret – I shouldn’t really be letting you in on it.
Phil
OK, forget we said that – listen to these examples instead.
Examples
That project looks like so much fun. I really need to get in on it!
We’re planning a surprise party for Ahmed. We’re all in on the secret, but don’t tell him.
Are you in on the latest news about Paula? It’s so exciting. I can’t wait to tell you!
Feifei
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we are learning the phrase ‘in on it’, which means to know about or be involved in something that is happening.
Phil
We often use it with the verb ‘let’ when it is about a secret, or ‘get’ if it’s about being involved in something.
Feifei
Sometimes if you manage to get in on something exciting, they let you in on a lot of secrets that not many other people know!
Phil
Well, hopefully we’ve let you in on how to use ‘in on something’.
Feifei
We’ll let you in on the secrets of another phrase in the next episode. See you then!
Phil
Bye!
Feifei
Bye.