INB4

What Does INB4 Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

INB4 means "In Before."

More Observations...

The abbreviation INB4 is used with the meaning "in before" to "steal someone's thunder" (i.e., grab the glory for yourself) or to "beat someone to the punch" (i.e., head off an expected retort). In effect, INB4 means to get a response in quickly before someone else does. For example:

• Toni: Did you see the latest episode of Game of Thrones?
• Jordan: Not yet.
• Sam: INB4! John Snow dies.
• Jordan: Thanks not!
• Toni: Yeah, thanks Sam!

• Ali: I am making seafood pizza tonight.
• Lee: Really? ...
• Ali: INB4! I remember the last one made you ill, but the prawns were off.

Image for INB4

When I write INB4, I mean this:

INB4 means getting in first.

Summary of Key Points

"In Before" is, by far, the most common meaning for INB4 when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

INB4
Definition:	In Before
Type:	Word and Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

An Academic Look at INB4

INB4 is typically used like an adverb of time meaning "Before you say anything." Adverbs typically modify verbs. When INB4 is used, the verb is inferred. In full, a message starting with INB4 would read "I am saying x, before you say anything." In Cyber Speak, this manifests itself as:

• INB4 x

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have written something like "Spoiler alert" or "Yes, I know what you're going say," instead of using INB4.

Example of INB4 Used in a Text

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