listen in

verb

1. to listen to the radio

2. to intercept radio communications

3. to listen but not contribute (to a discussion), esp surreptitiously

Idioms and Phrases

Hear or overhear the conversation of others; eavesdrop. It is also put as listen in on , as in She listened in on her parents and learned they were planning a surprise party . [Early 1900s]

Tune in and listen to a broadcast, as in Were you listening in the other night when they played Beethoven's Fifth? [1920s]

Related Words

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• examine 
• explore 
• inspect 
• interrogate 
• probe 
• question 
• review 
• scrutinize 
• search 
• study