Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 VERB If you ask someone something, you say something to them in the form of a question because you want to know the answer. □ [V with quote] 'How is Frank?' he asked. □ [V n n] I asked him his name. □ [V n] I wasn't the only one asking questions. □ [V n wh] She asked me if I'd enjoyed my dinner. □ [V wh] If Daniel asks what happened in court we will tell him. □ [V n + about ] You will have to ask David about that. □ [V ] 'I'm afraid to ask what it cost.'—'Then don't ask.' [Also V about n]

2 VERB If you ask someone to do something, you tell them that you want them to do it. □ [V n to-inf] We had to ask him to leave.

3 VERB If you ask to do something, you tell someone that you want to do it. □ [V to-inf] I asked to see the Director.

4 VERB If you ask for something, you say that you would like it. □ [V + for ] I decided to go to the next house and ask for food.

5 VERB If you ask for someone, you say that you would like to speak to them. □ [V + for ] There's a man at the gate asking for you.

6 VERB If you ask someone's permission, opinion, or forgiveness, you try to obtain it by putting a request to them. □ [V n] Please ask permission from whoever pays the phone bill before making your call.

7 VERB If you ask someone to an event or place, you invite them to go there. □ [V n + to ] Couldn't you ask Jon to the party? □ [V n adv] She asked me back to her house. [Also V n + for ]

8 VERB If someone is asking a particular price for something, they are selling it for that price. □ [V n + for ] Mr Pantelaras was asking £6,000 for his collection. [Also V n]

9 CONVENTION You reply ' don't ask me ' when you do not know the answer to a question, usually when you are annoyed or surprised that you have been asked. [FEELINGS ] □  'She's got other things on her mind, wouldn't you think?' 'Don't ask me,' murmured Chris. 'I've never met her.'

10 PHRASE You can say ' may I ask ' as a formal way of asking a question, which shows you are annoyed or suspicious about something. [FEELINGS ] □  May I ask where you're going, sir?

11 PHRASE You can say ' if you ask me ' to emphasize that you are stating your personal opinion. [EMPHASIS ] □  He was nuts, if you ask me.

12 PHRASE If you say that someone is asking for trouble or is asking for it , you mean that they are behaving in a way that makes it very likely that they will get into trouble. □  To go ahead with the match after such clear advice had been asking for trouble.

▸  ask after PHRASAL VERB If someone asks after you, they ask someone how you are. □ [V P n] I had a letter from Jane. She asks after you.

▸  ask around in BRIT, also use ask round PHRASAL VERB If you ask around or ask round , you ask several people a question. □ [V P ] Ask around to see what others living in your area think about their doctors. SYNONYMS ask VERB

1

inquire:I rang up to inquire about train times.

question:This led the therapist to question Jim about his parents and their marriage.

query:One of the journalists queried whether sabotage could have been involved.

2

request:Mr Dennis said he had requested access to a telephone.

demand:The hijackers are demanding to speak to representatives of both governments.

plead:He was kneeling on the floor pleading for mercy.

beg:I begged to be allowed to leave.

askance /əskæ ns/