RING IN

v. phr. , informal 1. To bring in (someone or something) from the outside dishonestly or without telling; often: hire and introduce under a false name. Bob offered to ring him in on the party by pretending he was a cousin from out of town. No wonder their team beat us; they rang in a professional to pitch for them under the name of Dan Smith. 2. To ring a special clock that records the time you work. We have to ring in at the shop before eight o'clock in the morning.