talk into

talk into: meaning and explanation

If you talk someone into something, you persuade or convince them to do something.

Talking someone into something might involve changing their mind, e.g. My plan was to have a quiet night in, but my friends talked me into going out with them.

It could also communicate the idea of encouraging or motivating someone to do something. e.g. I didn't think I had any chance of getting the job, but my friend talked me into applying for it. I'm so glad she did!

It's also possible to use this phrasal verb reflexively, meaning that the subject and object of the verb are the same person. Most often, this is used to talk about persuading ourselves to do something. Maybe part of us has doubts about something or is feeling lazy, and another part encourages, motivates or persuades us to do something. e.g. I knew I couldn't afford the car, but I talked myself into buying it.

Have a go at these micro-dictation exercises to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?

Listening exercises

Dictation #1

Accent: Australia

Dictation #2

Accent: North America

Dictation #3

Accent: Scotland

Extra practice

Here are some questions/links to help you learn the new vocabulary:

• Can you remember a time when someone talked you into doing something? What about you talking someone into doing something?
• Have you ever talked yourself into doing something?

Photo by Filipe Dos Santos Mendes on Unsplash