dial in en · VERB
Etymology
dial + in, from tuning in to a radio frequency by changing the dial, or dialling a telephone number (originally on a rotary dial).
Meanings
-
To configure or set up (particularly a complex machine with many configuration options [especially knobs and dials).
Before starting the recording, make sure you've dialled in the right synthesiser settings.
-
To connect (to a system or service) by telephone.
I tried dialling in to the server, but I couldn't connect.
-
To join or participate in (a conference call).
Did you dial in to that earnings announcement?
-
(figuratively) To apprehend and align oneself (to an idea, circumstance, way of thinking, etc.).
Nowadays most people are dialled in to the idea that smoking is bad for you.
The company quickly dialled in to the fact that customers wanted greater convenience.
Starting in the ’90s, politicians began treating elections like advertising campaigns and used focus groups to dial in the most effective rhetoric, according to the Stanford economist Matthew Gentzkow, who has analyzed congressional speeches.
2022 November 12, Matteo Wong, “How Did America End Up With the Z.O.M.B.I.E. Act?”, in The Atlantic:
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(figuratively) To reduce (something) to an appropriate level.
He was pushy, but he dialed that in until they found him tolerable.
- To achieve a perfect result in brewing coffee by manipulating grind size, water amount, etc.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| dialling in | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | UK | lexicographic |
| dialing in | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | US | lexicographic |
| dialed in | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | US | lexicographic |
| dialed in | Tense=Past | US | lexicographic |
| dials in | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| dialled in | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | UK | lexicographic |
| dialled in | Tense=Past | UK | lexicographic |
Antonyms
Coordinates
call in · pick up on · tune