In 15 Seconds
- Used to say someone is physically absent from a location.
- Perfect for office phone calls and home visitors.
- A polite way to say someone is unavailable right now.
Meaning
This phrase tells someone that a person is not at their usual place of work or home. It is a polite way to say they are currently unavailable to talk.
Key Examples
3 of 6Answering the office phone
I'm sorry, Mr. Jones is not in today.
I'm sorry, Mr. Jones is not in today.
A friend visiting your house
Dave's not in, he went to the gym.
Dave's not in, he went to the gym.
Texting a group about a meeting
The manager is not in, so the meeting is canceled.
The manager is not in, so the meeting is canceled.
Cultural Background
In the UK, 'He's not in' is often preceded by 'I'm afraid...' to soften the news. It's a way of being polite and showing regret that the person cannot help the caller. In the US, efficiency is key. 'He's not in' is often followed immediately by a solution-oriented question like 'Can I help you with something?' or 'Would you like his voicemail?' Historically, 'Not at home' was a social convention. Even if the person was home, the servant would say 'Not at home' to indicate they were not receiving visitors that day. With the rise of Slack and Teams, 'He's not in' now often refers to a person's status icon. If the icon is gray, they are 'not in' the digital workspace.
The 'I'm afraid' buffer
Always add 'I'm afraid' or 'I'm sorry' before 'He's not in' to sound more professional.
Don't use 'inside'
Saying 'He's not inside' sounds like he is locked out of his car or house. Stick to 'in'.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to say someone is physically absent from a location.
- Perfect for office phone calls and home visitors.
- A polite way to say someone is unavailable right now.
What It Means
He's not in is a simple way to say someone is absent. It usually refers to an office, a house, or a specific room. You aren't saying where he is. You are just saying he isn't here. It is the ultimate 'gatekeeper' phrase for secretaries and roommates alike.
How To Use It
Use this when the phone rings for a colleague. Use it when a neighbor knocks looking for your brother. You can swap he for she, they, or a name. It is short, sweet, and very common. Just remember to follow it with a helpful offer. Try saying, 'Can I take a message?' or 'Try again later.'
When To Use It
Use it at work when a boss is at lunch. Use it at home when your roommate is out jogging. It works perfectly for phone calls and front-door visits. It is great for protecting someone's privacy without being rude. If a telemarketer calls, this phrase is your best friend. It ends the conversation quickly but remains polite.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if the person is actually in the room. That makes things very awkward! Also, don't use it for long-term absences. If someone is on vacation for a month, say He's away. He's not in implies he might be back later today. Avoid using it in very emotional situations, like a breakup. It sounds a bit too 'office-like' for deep personal matters.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from a time before mobile phones. People used to call 'places' rather than 'people.' You called a house or an office desk. If the person wasn't at that physical spot, they were not in. Even today, we use it for digital workspaces like Slack or Teams. It shows that English speakers value physical presence in a workspace.
Common Variations
She's out at the moment.(Very common and polite)They aren't in right now.(Good for a group)He's not at his desk.(Specific for office life)He's stepped out.(Implies he will be back very soon)
Usage Notes
This phrase is perfectly neutral and safe for almost any situation. It is the 'gold standard' for answering phones at work or home. Just remember to use a friendly tone so you don't sound like a robot!
The 'I'm afraid' buffer
Always add 'I'm afraid' or 'I'm sorry' before 'He's not in' to sound more professional.
Don't use 'inside'
Saying 'He's not inside' sounds like he is locked out of his car or house. Stick to 'in'.
Examples
6I'm sorry, Mr. Jones is not in today.
I'm sorry, Mr. Jones is not in today.
A standard professional response for a missing colleague.
Dave's not in, he went to the gym.
Dave's not in, he went to the gym.
Casual and informative for a friend.
The manager is not in, so the meeting is canceled.
The manager is not in, so the meeting is canceled.
Clear communication for a workplace update.
Actually, the homeowner is not in right now.
Actually, the homeowner is not in right now.
A polite way to end an unwanted conversation.
Daddy's not in yet, but he will be home for dinner.
Daddy's not in yet, but he will be home for dinner.
Reassuring and simple for family use.
Looks like Sarah is not in; her computer is off.
Looks like Sarah is not in; her computer is off.
Observational and friendly.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence for a professional phone call.
I'm sorry, Mr. Smith is not ___ today. Can I take a message?
'In' is the standard idiomatic adverb for professional absence.
Choose the most natural response.
Visitor: 'Hi, is Jane around?' You: 'No, ___.'
'She's not in' is the most natural way to say she is not at home or in the office.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase fits a receptionist answering a phone call?
'He's not in' is the standard professional response.
Identify the correct past tense form.
I went to his house, but he ___ in.
The past tense of 'is not in' is 'was not in' or 'wasn't in'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesI'm sorry, Mr. Smith is not ___ today. Can I take a message?
'In' is the standard idiomatic adverb for professional absence.
Visitor: 'Hi, is Jane around?' You: 'No, ___.'
'She's not in' is the most natural way to say she is not at home or in the office.
Which phrase fits a receptionist answering a phone call?
'He's not in' is the standard professional response.
I went to his house, but he ___ in.
The past tense of 'is not in' is 'was not in' or 'wasn't in'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but 'He's not in' is shorter and more common when you are already at the house or on the phone.
No, it's very polite as long as you use a friendly tone and offer to take a message.
'Not in' is slightly more formal and common in offices. 'Out' is more common in casual conversation.
Yes, just change the pronoun: 'She's not in.'
Yes, it's an abbreviation for 'in the office' or 'in the house.'
Yes, adding 'today' is very common to show he will be back tomorrow.
Both are correct. 'He's not in' is slightly more common in American English.
You should still say 'He's not in at the moment' or 'He's away from his desk.'
No, for a shop you would say 'It's closed.' This is for people.
Ask 'Is [Name] in?'
Related Phrases
He's out
synonymHe is not here.
He's away from his desk
specialized formHe is in the building but not at his phone.
He's tied up
similarHe is busy.
He's in a meeting
similarHe is busy with others.
