Phrasal verb
buy in
Meanings
to accept an idea, explanation, or plan and support it
to purchase a share in a business or organization
to buy goods or supplies in order to have them available, especially for a business
Definition
To buy in means to accept an idea or plan and support it.
If you buy in, you agree with an idea and decide to support it. It often suggests you are convinced after hearing reasons or seeing evidence. People commonly talk about getting others to buy in to a plan at work or in a group.
Examples
- I didn’t buy in until I saw the results for myself.
- She finally bought in to the new schedule after the team explained the benefits.
- They won’t buy in unless the plan includes clear roles for everyone.
- Are you ready to buy in, or do you still have doubts?
- He bought in quickly because the idea matched his experience.
Common mistake
Learners often forget the preposition and say “buy in the idea” instead of “buy in to the idea” when meaning “accept and support.”
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.