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bring in — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb3 meanings
  1. 1 introduce or implementto introduce or start using something new, like a law, rule, or system.
  2. 2 earn or generate moneyto earn or produce a particular amount of money.
  3. 3 involve for expertiseto ask someone to take part in a discussion, project, or activity, especially because they have special knowledge or skills.
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All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

1

introduce or implement

B2bring in sthMost common

to introduce or start using something new, like a law, rule, or system.

The company decided to bring in new safety regulations after the accident.

A: Did you hear they're going to bring in a new dress code at work?
B: Yeah, I hope it's not too strict.

If I were in charge, I would bring in more flexible working hours to help employees balance their work and personal lives.

Common mistake

They want to bring in with a new system.

They want to bring in a new system.

'Bring in' takes the thing directly — no 'with'.

Tell it apart

They brought in a recycling scheme.

introduced it

The shop brings in good money.

earns it
Use 'bring in' when talking about starting something new, especially rules, laws, or ideas.'Bring in' here is not about physically carrying something, but about starting or introducing something new.

Often paired with

bring in + rule/system
2

earn or generate money

B1bring in amount/money/noun

to earn or produce a particular amount of money.

Her online shop brings in about $500 a month.

A: How much does your new job bring in?
B: Not a lot yet, but it's getting better.

Tourism brings in a significant amount of money to my country every year, which helps support local businesses.

Common mistake

The shop brings in of £2000 a month.

The shop brings in £2000 a month.

'Bring in' takes the amount directly — no 'of'.

Tell it apart

The rental brings in a steady income.

earns money

They brought in a new rule.

introduced / implemented it
Use 'bring in' to talk about how much money someone or something earns or generates.'Bring in' here is about earning money, not about introducing something new.

Often paired with

bring in + money
3

involve for expertise

C1bring in person/expert/outsider to do sth

to ask someone to take part in a discussion, project, or activity, especially because they have special knowledge or skills.

The company decided to bring in an external mediator to help resolve the dispute.

A: We're struggling with the new software rollout.
B: Maybe we should bring in an IT specialist to guide the team.

In situations where internal resources are insufficient, organisations often bring in outside experts to provide fresh perspectives and specialised knowledge.

Common mistake

They brought in with a specialist.

They brought in a specialist.

'Bring in' takes the object directly — no 'with'.

Tell it apart

They brought in an expert to help.

involved them for their skills

They brought up the issue at the meeting.

mentioned it
'Bring in' in this sense is used when you involve someone (often an expert or outsider) to contribute their knowledge or skills to a situation. It is common in professional and academic contexts.This sense is different from 'bring in' meaning 'introduce a law or system' (B2) or 'earn money' (B1). Here, the focus is on involving a person for their expertise, not on introducing things or generating income.

Often paired with

bring in + expert

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