answer the door

Short definition: The phrase answer the door means to respond when someone knocks or rings by going to the door and opening it, often implying acknowledging a visitor, reacting promptly, and not ignoring the person waiting outside.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrase answer the door? This phrase is very common in everyday English and is used in homes, offices, and casual conversations. To answer the door simply means responding when someone knocks or rings the doorbell. You will hear it in daily routines, stories, and polite requests. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, with long definitions and realistic examples.

answer the door verb phrase /ˈæn.sər ðə dɔːr/

Forms: answer the door, answers the door, answered the door, answering the door
Related: answer v., door n., knock v.
Syllable: an-swer the door

  1. (Verb Phrase) To go to the door and respond when someone knocks or rings the doorbell.

    To answer the door means to walk to the door and open it, or at least respond, when someone is outside. This usually happens after hearing a knock or the sound of a doorbell. It is a normal part of daily life at home or at work. The phrase focuses on the act of responding, not just opening the door.

    She was cooking dinner when she stopped to answer the door.
    Can you answer the door? Someone has been knocking for a while.
    He hesitated before deciding to answer the door late at night.

    Synonyms: open the door, respond to a knock, go to the door, check the door, greet the visitor, receive a visitor, attend the door, respond to the doorbell, let someone in, meet the caller, open up, acknowledge the knock
    Antonyms: ignore the door, refuse to answer, stay inside, avoid the visitor, pretend not to hear, leave the door unanswered, keep the door closed, shut someone out, avoid answering, stay silent, turn someone away, not respond

  2. (Verb Phrase) To deal with or respond to an unexpected interruption or arrival.

    In a broader sense, answer the door can describe responding to an interruption in what you are doing. It highlights the idea of pausing your activity to deal with something unexpected. This meaning is sometimes used slightly figuratively in storytelling. The focus is on interruption rather than the physical door itself.

    He paused the meeting to answer the door when the delivery arrived.
    She stepped away from her work to answer the door and speak with the visitor.
    Every time he tried to relax, he had to answer the door for another guest.

    Synonyms: respond to an interruption, pause to respond, attend to a visitor, handle an arrival, break away briefly, deal with a distraction, stop to respond, attend to someone, respond promptly, step away momentarily, interrupt oneself, acknowledge arrival
    Antonyms: ignore the interruption, stay focused, continue uninterrupted, refuse engagement, avoid distraction, remain undisturbed, keep working, dismiss the arrival, stay on task, block interruptions, maintain focus, decline interaction

An Explanation of the Word "answer the door" in an Image

Colorful landscape illustration of the idiom Answer the Door, depicting a person opening the door to welcome visitors after hearing a knock or doorbell.
A friendly educational illustration of the idiom Answer the Door, showing someone opening the door to greet visitors, symbolizing the act of responding to a knock or doorbell in everyday life.

Conversation Using the Phrase Answer the door

While relaxing at home on a Saturday afternoon, Thomas and Mia hear a knock at the front. The conversation focuses on the common expression answer the door, which simply means to go and open the door to see who is there after someone has knocked or rung the bell.

Thomas: I’m in the middle of cooking; could you please answer the door and see who is visiting us?

Mia: Sure, I’ll answer the door, but I’m not expecting any deliveries or friends to stop by today.

Thomas: I read that you should always check the peephole before you answer the door for someone you don't recognize.

Mia: I noticed that the dog always starts barking long before I even get close enough to answer the door.

Thomas: If it’s a salesperson, please tell them we aren't interested before you answer the door fully.

Mia: I’ll just peek through the window first; sometimes it’s better not to answer the door at all if it's just solicitors.

Thomas: I saw the neighbor answer the door in his pajamas this morning, which was quite a funny sight.

Mia: I’ve had to answer the door while covered in paint before, so I can definitely sympathize with him.

Thomas: It sounds like they are knocking again; you should probably go and answer the door now.

Mia: I’m going! I hope it’s just the delivery person so I can answer the door and get back to my book.

Phrases Containing the Expression Answer the Door

The phrases below show how the expression answer the door is used to talk about responding to a knock, a visitor, or an unexpected interruption.

Answer the door

To respond to a knock.

She stopped what she was doing to answer the door when the bell rang.

Answer the door quickly

To respond without delay.

Please answer the door quickly before the delivery driver leaves.

Answer the door politely

To greet a visitor with courtesy.

He reminded the kids to answer the door politely no matter who was there.

Answer the door at night

To respond after dark.

She hesitated to answer the door at night when she wasn’t expecting anyone.

Answer the door immediately

To respond at once.

The dog barked nonstop until someone finally answered the door immediately.

Answer the door carefully

To be cautious.

He checked through the window before deciding to answer the door carefully.

Answer the door for a guest

To receive a visitor.

She asked her brother to answer the door for the guests while she finished cooking.

Answer the door during dinner

To interrupt a meal.

He got up from the table to answer the door during dinner.

Answer the door nervously

To respond with anxiety.

She answered the door nervously, unsure who might be waiting outside.

Answer the door calmly

To respond without panic.

Despite the loud knocking, he answered the door calmly.

Answer the door in silence

To respond without speaking.

She answered the door in silence, letting her expression do the talking.

Answer the door half-asleep

To respond while tired.

He answered the door half-asleep after the early-morning knock.

Answer the door reluctantly

To respond unwillingly.

She answered the door reluctantly, already guessing it was bad news.

Answer the door without checking

To respond carelessly.

He answered the door without checking and was surprised by the visitor.

Answer the door with a smile

To greet warmly.

She answered the door with a smile that immediately put the guest at ease.

Answer the door during work

To interrupt work.

He paused the meeting briefly to answer the door.

Answer the door late

To respond after delay.

By the time he answered the door late, the visitor had almost left.

Answer the door unexpectedly

To respond without preparation.

She had to answer the door unexpectedly while on a phone call.

Answer the door alone

To respond without help.

As the only one home, she had to answer the door alone.

Answer the door confidently

To respond with assurance.

He answered the door confidently, ready to handle whatever the visitor needed.

Words Rhyme with answer the door

dancer for more
cancer on floor
panther galore
mansion ignore
lancer explore
advancer restore
enhancer deplore
romancer ashore
financier before
transfer the score
floor
more
score
shore
store
tore
wore
core
lore
pore
adore
ignore
restore
before
ashore
explore
implore
galore
dinosaur
anymore
POS: Verb Phrase