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in the loop: meaning and explanation

If you are in the loop then you are a member of the group that makes the decisions on something, or you are kept informed of these decisions.

If you are not in the loop or out of the loop, you are not part of the decision making group, or you have not been kept up to date on decisions.

This idiom is useful when talking about receiving updates on important developments or decisions - for example, you might ask someone to keep you in the loop. If you want to complain about not being updated on developments and decisions, you can say that you were not kept in the loop.

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: Scotland

.
I’m really on the Swiss deal haven’t been .
I’m I’m not really to speed on the Swiss deal I haven’t been in the loop.

About the sentence

...I'm not really up to speed...

Here is an exercise to practise the expression 'up to speed'.

Dictation #2

Accent: North America

Dictation #3

Accent: England (RP)

 

Extra practice

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

  • Why do you think it's important for individuals to be kept in the loop professionally or socially? What benefits does it provide?
  • Can you think of a time when being out of the loop affected your ability to contribute or understand what was happening?
  • How can organizations ensure that everyone stays in the loop?

Photo by Lysander Yuen on Unsplash

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