horn in

verb

horned in; horning in; horns in

intransitive verb

1

: to join in something (such as a conversation) without invitation or consent : intrude

… awkwardly horning in during a high-level chat …

—A. B. Stoddard

—usually used with on

He always horns in on the conversation.

They horned in on our game.

2

: to forcibly take control or possession from another

Sometimes I fed him … . When other gulls tried to horn in, he fought them off, three, four at a time.

—Barry Stringfellow

—usually used with on

won't let anyone else horn in on their territory

overseas producers look to horn in on the U.S. market

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

horn in

verb

horned in; horning in

: intrude

horn in on the conversation