PhrasesHub

chime in

    Definitions

      • to join in a conversation or discussion
        To add one's opinion or input to a conversation or discussion, often when it is already in progress

      • to interrupt
        To interject or interrupt a conversation or discussion with one's own thoughts or opinions

    Examples of chime in

    • During the team meeting, Jane hesitated to share her ideas, but when Mark asked for everyone's inputs, she chimeed in with a brilliant solution that impressed her colleagues.

      When someone chimes in, they join the conversation and contribute their thoughts or opinions. In this example, Jane hesitated to speak at first, but when Mark invited everyone to share their ideas, she felt encouraged to chime in with her own solution.

    • In the middle of the argument, Sarah suddenly chimeed in with a compromise that diffused the tension and resolved the conflict.

      Here, Sarah joined the discussion at a point when the argument was reaching a boiling point. Her chime in was particularly effective because it offered a solution that satisfied all parties involved, effectively diffusing the tension and resolving the conflict.

    • The teacher asked the class if they had any questions, but no one spoke up. Suddenly, John chimeed in from the back of the room, asking a thoughtful question that sparked a lively discussion.

      In this example, John's chime in was significant because his question not only demonstrated his engagement with the lesson but also sparked further discussion and learning opportunities for his classmates.

    • In the board meeting, the discussion had been going on for hours without any clear action plan. Just as the other board members were losing patience, Sarah chimeed in with a well-thought-out proposal that received unanimous support, breaking the deadlock and paving the way for a successful outcome.

      In this example, Sarah's chime in was particularly effective because it offered a solution that addressed the root cause of the issue and received the support of all parties involved. Her chime in also broke the deadlock that had been holding back the discussion for hours, allowing the board members to move forward and achieve a successful outcome.

    • During the team meeting, John hesitated at first, but then Sally's idea triggered his thoughts, and he chimed in with a brilliant solution that impressed the project manager.

      In this example, the speaker is using "chime in" to describe how John contributed his idea during the course of the discussion. The metaphorical idea here is that when John felt the right time, he made his voice heard just like church bells would chime in rhythm with other bells in the background.

    • As the discussion about the budget was getting intense, the HR manager, who had been quiet till then, chime in with a solution to balance the finances and cut down on unnecessary expenses.

      In this example, the speaker is using "chime in" to describe the HR manager's action as a surprising yet impactful contribution, just like the sound of chimes could suddenly interrupt silence.

    • In the political debate, the moderator asked for opinions from the audience, and one person, who had been observing the discussion silently, chimed in with a thought-provoking query that caught everyone's attention.

      In this example, the speaker is using "chime in" to describe how the audience member's question or contribution interrupted the debate, just like the sound of church bells interrupting a peaceful environment.

    • After listening to the others' arguments, the CEO finally chimed in, saying that while all ideas were good, her plan was better because it did not compromise the company's long-term profit strategies.

      In this example, the speaker is using "chime in" to describe the CEO's statement, saying that every time she spoke, it had a significant impact, much like the sound of church bells that would dominate the choral symphony.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "chime in" can be used in two different ways. It can either mean to join in a conversation or discussion by adding one's opinion or input, or it can mean to interrupt by interjecting with one's own thoughts or opinions. It is often used in informal settings and can be a way for someone to contribute to a conversation or to express their viewpoint.

    Origin of "chime in"

    The origin of the idiom "chime in" dates back to the 17th century when the word "chime" was used to refer to the harmonious sound made by bells. Over time, the phrase "chime in" came to be used in a figurative sense to mean joining in or adding to a conversation or discussion. The dual meaning of the phrase, to both join in and to interrupt, likely developed from the idea of adding one's voice to a harmonious conversation or abruptly interjecting with a contrasting viewpoint. The idiom has since become a commonly used expression in the English language, especially in informal communication.

    Examples:

    • "I'd like to chime in with my thoughts on the matter."
    • "Sorry to chime in, but I have a different perspective on this issue."