horn in
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To intrude or butt in [with on].
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
1977-1980, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure
J isn't thrilled by the idea—says he's afraid she'll be taking up my time and horning in on our time together.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “horn in” mean?
To intrude or butt in [with on].
Is “horn in” formal or informal?
horn in is generally slang.