listened in
Heard without permission
Listened in is the past tense of listen in, meaning to eavesdrop or tune into something not directly addressed to you.
You might listen in on a conversation between coworkers or listen in to a radio broadcast: I listened in while they discussed the plan.
The phrase often implies being a silent, sometimes unauthorized, audience.
- hearPerceive by ear
- eavesdropListen to private conversations
- walls have earsWarning about being overheard
- spyCovert information gatherer
- secret agentClandestine government operative
bugging · phone tapping · snoop · tune in · audio surveillance · absorb · wiretap · intercept · prying · ambient sound · party line · earwigging · espionage · covert ops · surveillance · big brother · clandestine · eavesdropper
listened inspoke up
Expressed oneself aloud
chimed in · participated · contributed · took part · spoke out
listened inspoke
Communicated verbally
broadcast · transmitted · held forth · talked · announced