ask
Request information
To say something to get an answer or information from someone.
to ask [someone] [something]
- She asked the teacher about the homework.
- Can I ask you where the nearest station is?
- He asked me what time the meeting starts.
- We asked several people for directions.
- They asked if we were enjoying our meal.
- I asked my friend his name.
- She asked the man for help.
- We asked the teacher a question.
- He asked me where I live.
Request something
To say that you want someone to give you something or do something for you.
to ask [someone] for [something]
- I asked my boss for a day off.
- She asked him for a glass of water.
- They asked the waiter for the bill.
- He asked his parents for advice on buying a car.
- We asked the neighbors for help moving furniture.
- I asked my mom for food.
- He asked the teacher for help.
- She asked her friend for a pen.
- We asked the man for directions.
Invite someone
To tell someone you want them to come or join an activity.
to ask [someone] to [do something]
- He asked her to join them for lunch.
- They asked us to their wedding.
- She asked him out on a date.
- We asked some friends over for drinks.
- I asked my friend to play football.
- She asked him to come to her party.
- We asked them to eat dinner with us.
- He asked her out.
Requested price or amount
The amount of money someone wants for something they are selling.
- The seller's ask was too high for us.
- They lowered their ask after the inspection report.
- Her ask for the painting was $5000.
- The ask was too high.
- Their ask was $20.
- He made an ask of $50.
- Base: ask
- 3rd Person Singular: asks
- Present Participle: asking
- Past: asked
ask around
1Request info from several people
To talk to different people to get information or help.
- I don't know the answer, but I'll ask around and find out.
- She asked around to see if anyone had seen her cat.
ask out
1Invite on a date
To invite someone to go somewhere with you in a romantic way.
- He finally asked her out after weeks of hesitation.
- She was nervous when he asked her out.
don't ask
1Refuse to give details when unpleasant/complicated
Used to say that you don't want to explain something because it is bad, strange, or complicated.
- 'How was your trip?' — 'Don't ask.'
- Don't ask how much I spent on this.
if you ask me
1Give personal opinion unasked
Used before saying your personal opinion about something, especially when it wasn't directly requested.
- If you ask me, that movie was way too long.
- That was a bad decision, if you ask me.
ask for trouble
1Do something likely to cause problems
To do something that will probably cause problems for you.
- Not wearing a helmet is just asking for trouble.
- If you keep lying to her, you're asking for trouble.
ask for trouble
2Do something likely to cause trouble
To do something that will probably cause problems or danger for yourself.
- Walking alone at night in that area is just asking for trouble.
- If you don't back up your files, you're asking for trouble.