listen in

British  

verb

1. to listen to the radio

2. to intercept radio communications

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

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listen in Idioms  

1. 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]

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

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Example Sentences

Even so, she said the findings indicate that intellectual ability is one of several factors affecting how effectively people listen in complex sound environments, such as busy classrooms or social gatherings.

From Science Daily

One of the things that we have to acknowledge, too, is that although we haven’t had the traditionally red state join us, sometimes people come to meetings and just listen in and share ideas.

From Barron's

One of the things that we have to acknowledge, too, is that although we haven’t had the traditionally red state join us, sometimes people come to meetings and just listen in and share ideas.

From Barron's

During a practice, while listening in a circle around Wolfson, he had his arms around a teammate as if they were lifelong friends.

From Los Angeles Times

The Archers also makes sure any countryside sounds and references listeners hear are accurate, so when you listen in the height of summer, Ambridge sounds like the height of summer too.

From BBC

Related Words

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