[Answered] Report to the office meaning?

This is a sentence in my book.

When are the new accountants expected to report to the office?

I though report means literally report which means giving someone a message. But my book says this sentence only means going to the office. Is that right? :roll:

Please help me. Thanks in advance.

AndyJung said:

This is a sentence in my book.

When are the new accountants expected to report to the office?

I though report means literally report which means giving someone a message. But my book says this sentence only means going to the office. Is that right? :roll:

Please help me. Thanks in advance.

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It could mean either of those things.
(And 'report' does mean literally report, but 'report' has more than one literal meaning).

Raymott said:

It could mean either of those things.
(And 'report' does mean literally report, but 'report' has more than one literal meaning).

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Thank you for a quick answer.

But, what you meant by could is those are equally used? Then, I'm just wondering, if you see that sentence which meaning do you think of first? If you say both, then I'll just keep that in mind. But I hope first meaning is much more common to native speakers.

AndyJung said:

I'm just wondering, if you see that sentence which meaning do you think of first?

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I think that it means that they should go to the office to say that they are there - i.e., to 'report' their arrival.

I agree that that meaning would be more common. But I disagree with your book if it does indeed say that the other meaning is not possible.

5jj said:

I think that it means that they should go to the office to say that they are there - i.e., to 'report' their arrival.

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That is brilliant. Thank you. Now I understand everyting.