walk in

Meaning

To enter a room or building on foot. It is also used as an adjective ('walk-in') to describe services you can use without an appointment, or a spacious closet you can enter.

Examples

• I accidentally walked in on him while he was changing, which was so embarrassing!

  I accidentally walked in on him while he was changing, which was so embarrassing!

• You don't need an appointment at this clinic; you can just walk in.

  You don't need an appointment at this clinic; you can just walk in.

• As soon as I walked in, I noticed everyone was staring at me.

  As soon as I walked in, I noticed everyone was staring at me.

• My dream house must have a huge walk-in closet in the master bedroom.

  My dream house must have a huge walk-in closet in the master bedroom.

• The front door was unlocked, so she decided to walk in and call out for her friend.

  The front door was unlocked, so she decided to walk in and call out for her friend.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I walked in the room.

  ✓ I walked into the room.

  Use 'walk into' when followed by a specific destination noun. Use 'walk in' when there is no direct object following it.

• ✗ I walked in my boss when he was crying.

  ✓ I walked in on my boss when he was crying.

  To enter a room and catch someone doing something private or embarrassing, you must use the three-word phrasal verb 'walk in on'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Please knock before you enter, because I don't want anyone to ___ on me.

  💡 enter unexpectedly

  Show answer

  walk in

• This salon doesn't require bookings, so you can just ___.

  💡 enter without an appointment

  Show answer

  walk in