english
1
general::
verb
request:
I will ask you for an answer.
Simple Definitions
2
general::
ask for sb
to say that you would like to see or speak to someone
• A young man was here asking for you this morning., ask sb out
[ M ]
to invite someone to come with you to a place such as the cinema or a restaurant, especially as a way of starting a romantic relationship
• She's asked Steve out to the cinema this evening.
• You should ask her out sometime., ask sb in
[ M ]
to invite someone to come into a building or room, especially your home
• I'd ask you in for a coffee but I have to get up early for work in the morning., ask around
to ask a lot of different people in order to get information or help
• Our babysitter's just moved away, so we're asking around for a replacement., ask after sb
UK ( US ask about , Scottish ask for )
to ask for information about someone, especially about their health
• Tell your father I was asking after him., ask for sth
If you say you couldn't ask for someone or something better, you mean that that person or thing is the best of their kind
• She's great to work for - I really couldn't ask for a better boss.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
3
general::
In addition to the idioms beginning with ASK, see DON'T ASK; FOR THE ASKING.
American Heritage Idioms
4
general::
ask a question
ask
to speak or write to someone to get an answer:
• Did you ask about the price? • They asked me a lot of questions.
inquire/enquire
formal to ask someone for information about something:
• I’m writing to inquire about the job that was advertised in yesterday’s ‘Times’.
demand
especially written to ask a question in a firm or angry way:
• ‘Why didn’t you call me?’, she demanded.
interview
to ask someone questions, to find out if they are suitable for a job, or as part of a television or radio interview:
• When they interviewed me for the job, they didn’t mention the salary. • David Letterman has interviewed all the stars.
poll
to officially ask a lot of people in order to find out their opinion on something:
• Over 1,000 people were polled for the report. • 64% of the people we polled said that they approved of the way the government had handled the crisis.
to ask someone about a crime
question/interview
to ask someone a lot of questions in order to get information about a crime:
• He was arrested and questioned by the police. • Detectives are interviewing the father of the missing girl.
interrogate
to ask someone a lot of detailed questions, often in an aggressive way:
• The men were interrogated by the US authorities for over six hours.
cross-examine
to ask someone questions in court about the statements they made:
• A second lawyer began to cross-examine the witness.
somebody is helping the police with their inquiries
formal used in news reports when saying that the police are asking someone questions about a crime – especially when they think this person is guilty, but have not yet charged them:
• He is helping the police with their inquiries in connection with the murder of Diane Jones.
to ask for something
ask for
to tell someone you want them to give you something:
• I’m going to ask for a pay rise.
order
to ask for food or drink in a restaurant:
• We ordered some more coffee. • Have you ordered yet?
demand
to ask for something in a firm way, insisting that someone gives you what you ask for:
• They’re demanding immediate payment. • If the goods are faulty, you can demand a refund.
request
formal to ask for something:
• The pilot requested permission to land. • I enclose the information you requested.
beg/plead
to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it:
• He begged me for some money. • I’m not going to plead for forgiveness.
nag/pester
to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way:
• She keeps nagging me for a new phone. • People were pestering him for his autograph.
Longman-Thesaurus
5
general::
ask
nouns
ask for help
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
ask for assistance
(= help or support )
• You can call this number to ask for assistance.
ask for advice/ask sb’s advice
• If you are in any doubt, ask for advice.
ask for information
• I wrote asking for information about language classes.
ask for directions
(= instructions how to get from one place to another )
• At the station he asked for directions to the museum.
ask for details
• Please ask for details of the full range of tickets available.
ask for sb’s opinion
• Dad always liked being asked for his opinion.
ask for sb’s support
• Labour councillors asked for our support for the proposal.
ask for permission
• The two men entered without bothering to ask for permission.
ask for an explanation
• When he asked for an explanation, no one could give him an answer.
transnet.ir
6
general::
verb put a question to sb ADV. gently, quietly, softly ‘How do you feel?’ she asked softly. | amiably, conversationally, politely ‘Did you sleep well?’, he asked politely. | belligerently, crossly, icily, nastily, querulously, sarcastically, slyly, testily | casually, dryly, innocently ‘Oh, Sue went too, did she?’ I asked innocently (= pretending I did not know that this was important). | curiously, incredulously, pointedly, suspiciously | anxiously, apprehensively, fearfully, solicitously ‘Will he be all right?’, Sabrina asked anxiously. | legitimately We can legitimately ask what competence an official based in Whitehall has to solve the problems of rural Scotland. | rhetorically VERB + ASK long to, want to She longed to ask Mary if she knew what was wrong. I wanted to ask him a question. | dare (to) I wondered how old she was but I didn't dare ask. | forget to I completely forgot to ask his name. PREP. about He asked about her family. PHRASES get asked sth I often get asked that. | if you don't mind me/my asking How old are you?if you don't mind my asking? request sth ADV. nicely If you ask her nicely, she'll give you a sweet. PREP. for asking for money
Oxford Collocations Dictionary