butt in

interrupt a conversation or activity in a rude way

B2

What does "butt in" mean?

To butt in means to interrupt a conversation, discussion, or activity rudely and without being invited. The emphasis is on the unwelcome nature of the interruption — the person who butts in hasn't been asked for their opinion or involvement and usually makes others feel annoyed or disrespected. It's a distinctly informal expression, most at home in spoken English and casual written contexts like social media or text messages. 'Butt in' can describe interrupting someone mid-sentence, but it also extends to intruding on someone's personal affairs — for example, interfering in a situation that isn't your business. Because the expression carries a note of criticism, people often soften it with an apology when referring to their own behaviour, such as 'Sorry to butt in, but...'

Examples

How to use it

butt in (no object)

The most common pattern — used alone when the conversation or situation being interrupted is already understood from context.

She kept butting in, so no one could finish what they were saying.

butt in on + conversation/discussion/someone

Use 'on' followed by a noun to specify what or who is being interrupted.

I'm sorry to butt in on your meeting, but there's an urgent call for you.

butt in with + comment/opinion

Use 'with' to say what the person contributes when they interrupt.

My colleague butted in with his opinion before I'd even finished my point.

always/keep + butting in

The present continuous is especially natural for describing someone's irritating habit of interrupting repeatedly.

He's always butting in whenever I'm trying to have a private conversation.

don't/stop + butting in (imperative)

Negative commands are very common with this verb, often used to tell someone to stop interrupting.

Stop butting in — let her finish what she's saying!

Common Collocations

butt in on a conversationsorry to butt inalways butting inbutt in with a commentstop butting inbutt in on someone's business

Common Mistakes

Adding a direct object

This verb is intransitive, so you cannot place a noun or pronoun directly after it. To specify who or what is being interrupted, use 'butt in on' followed by a noun.

✗ She butted in our conversation without even apologising.
✓ She butted in on our conversation without even apologising.
Confusing 'butt in' with 'chip in'

'Chip in' suggests a helpful or welcome contribution to a conversation or fund, so it should not be used when the interruption is rude or unwanted. Use 'butt in' when the interjection is uninvited or annoying.

✗ He chipped in rudely before anyone had asked for his opinion.
✓ He butted in before anyone had asked for his opinion.
Using 'butt in' for physical interruptions

'Butt in' is about interrupting conversations or intruding in someone's affairs — not cutting into a queue or in front of traffic. Use 'cut in' for physical interruptions like queue-jumping.

✗ That car butted in right in front of me on the motorway.
✓ That car cut in right in front of me on the motorway.

Usage

This is an informal, slightly blunt expression most common in spoken British and American English. It usually implies criticism, so using it about your own behaviour ('Sorry to butt in') requires a softening phrase to avoid sounding rude.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'butt in' refer to interfering in someone's personal life, not just conversations?

Yes — 'butt in' naturally extends to intruding on someone's personal affairs or business, even when no actual conversation is taking place. For example, 'Stop butting in on my personal life!' is perfectly natural. The key idea is uninvited interference, whether verbal or situational.

Is 'sorry to butt in' a genuine apology, or is it just a set phrase?

It's often more of a conversational formula than a sincere apology — people use it to soften the interruption and sound polite, even when they're going ahead with the interruption anyway. You'll hear it used by someone who is about to butt in deliberately but wants to acknowledge the social awkwardness of doing so.

Is 'butt in' more British or American English?

It's common in both British and American English, so you don't need to worry about it sounding out of place in either variety. It's an informal expression in both, though, so it suits casual speech rather than formal situations.

Can I use 'butt in' in formal writing or professional emails?

It's best avoided in formal or professional contexts — it has an informal, slightly blunt tone that can sound too casual or even rude in writing. In a work email or formal report, you'd be better off using 'interrupt' or 'interject' instead.

Does 'butt in' always mean the person is being rude on purpose?

Not necessarily — the expression describes behaviour that comes across as rude, but the person doing it might not intend to be. Someone might 'butt in' out of enthusiasm or habit rather than deliberate rudeness. However, because the phrase itself implies social intrusiveness, it nearly always carries a critical tone from the speaker's perspective.

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