To chime in means to enter into a conversation other people are having, especially by interrupting to agree or repeat; to inject a comment or opinion into a conversation; to join a conversation to express agreement.
In regards to music, to chime in means to join in by adding a harmony or in unison.
Although this idiom can mean to interrupt, it tends to have a neutral to positive connotation and does not necessarily express rudeness.
Chime in with: be in agreement with; to combine in a harmonious way.
“Chime In” vs. “Chime In With” (and Common Preposition Mistakes)
Because chime in is a phrasal verb, native speakers often attach prepositions depending on what follows:
- Chime In: Used alone or followed by a comment (e.g., “Feel free to chime in whenever you like.”)
- Chime In With: Used when introducing a specific idea, suggestion, or opinion (e.g., “She chimed in with a brilliant solution.”)
- Chime In On: Used when referencing a specific topic or discussion (e.g., “I’d like to chime in on the budget discussion.”)
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Incorrect: “Chime into” or “Chime on” (e.g., “Can I chime into this meeting?”). These are grammatically incorrect in English. You chime in on a meeting or discussion, not “into” or “on” it.
Workplace & Email Conversations
In modern professional settings, chime in is a popular phrase used in emails, video calls, and group discussions to politely invite or offer input without sounding intrusive.
- “Chime in here”: Simply means to add a comment at a specific point in a discussion or document (e.g., “I’ll let Sarah chime in here regarding the timeline”). “Here” refers to the current topic or moment in the conversation, not a physical location.
- “Feel free to chime in”: A welcoming, casual invitation encouraging team members to share their thoughts or feedback.
- “Thanks for chiming in”: A polite expression of appreciation for someone who added helpful context or an opinion to an email thread or group chat.
- “Sorry to chime in”: A polite, soft interruption used when entering a ongoing discussion or email chain that you weren’t originally part of.
Chime In” vs. “Chip In” (The Synonym Confusion)
Both idioms sound similar and mean joining an effort, but their contexts are very different:
- Chime In: Joining a conversation, debate, or discussion with spoken or written words.
- Chip In: Contributing money, physical labor, or effort to a shared group goal or fund (e.g., “Everyone chipped in $10 for the gift”).
Origin
A chime, in this idiom, refers to a bell or set of bells and the sound made by them. The idiom was first used, in regards to music, in the late 1600s and extended into general use in the early 1700s.
Sentence Examples
“Everybody in the room was chiming in to defend him.”
“When Todd and Kim were arguing over who would go for lunch, Patel chimed in that he would pick up lunch instead.”
“I’m going to call Francis and see if he can help us out,” said Julie. “Yeah, I really think you should,” chimed in Oscar.
“Feel free to chime in if you have an idea,” said the team leader.
“I asked Bob to chime in with his idea.”
“His views tend to chime in with the rest of his party.”
“The decor chimes in perfectly with the bold colors of the room.”