ask 
/ˈæsk, Brit ˈɑ:sk/ verb
asks; asked; ask·ing /ˈæsk, Brit ˈɑ:sk/ verb 1 : to say or write something to someone as a way of gaining information : to request an answer to a question [+ obj] ▪ I need to ask a question. ▪ I need to ask you a question. = (less commonly) I need to ask a question of you. ▪ Are there any questions you would like to ask (me)? ▪ Did you ask her yet? ▪ “Have you seen the movie yet?” he asked. ▪ a list of frequently asked questions — often + about ▪ We always ask him about his mother. — often + if or whether ▪ He asked (them) if they had seen the movie. ▪ She asked (me) if I was worried. ▪ They were asked whether they would like to buy the car. — often + why, what, etc. ▪ You should ask (him) why he didn't come. ▪ He always asks (her) what she thinks. ▪ May I ask what time it is? ▪ It's not polite to ask how much a person weighs. [no obj] ▪ “If you don't mind me/my asking, how old are you?” “I'm 35 years old. Why do you ask?” ▪ Please don't ask again. ▪ “Do they have any soda?” “I don't know. I'll go ask.” — often + about ▪ I asked about her plans for the future. ▪ The police were here asking about you. 2 : to tell someone in the form of a question that you want to be given something or that you want something to happen : to request something [no obj] ▪ If you want something to drink, just ask. [=just tell me that you want something to drink] ▪ I would have given it to him, but he never asked. — often + for ▪ Let's stop and ask for directions. ▪ I'll have to ask for permission to leave. ▪ She asked for their forgiveness/help. ▪ She ate all of her food and asked for more. ▪ His lawyers are asking for the case to be dismissed. [+ obj] ▪ We had to stop and ask directions. ▪ May I ask the time? ▪ Did you ask permission to leave? ▪ She asked their forgiveness. — often + for ▪ We had to ask someone for directions. ▪ I asked her for permission. ▪ She asked them for their forgiveness. — often + if or whether ▪ He asked if he could use my telephone. ▪ They asked us whether we might stay an extra day. — often + that ▪ She asked that I not say anything about it. ▪ His lawyers are asking that the case be dismissed. — often followed by to + verb ▪ She asked (for permission) to borrow her father's car for the day. ▪ I asked (for permission) to leave work early. ▪ You should ask your teacher to help you. ▪ Unhappy with the service, he asked to see the manager. ▪ He asked me to marry him. ▪ I'm sorry, but I need to ask you to leave. ▪ She asked me not to say anything about it to anyone. ▪ I wanted to say something about it, but she asked me not to. 3 [+ obj] : to invite (someone) to go somewhere or do something
▪ He's asking just a few friends to the party. ▪ I asked him to lunch. ▪ They asked me over for dinner. ◊To ask someone out is to ask someone to go on a date with you.
▪ I asked her out (on a date), but she turned me down. 4 [+ obj] a : to believe that you should receive (something) from someone
▪ She doesn't ask [=expect, require] a lot. She asks very little in return for her hard work. — often + of ▪ The school asks much of its students. [=the school expects its students to do a lot] ▪ He says that people ask too little of their politicians. ▪ He was ready to go to war, should the government ask it of him. [=should the government ask him to go to war]
b : to set (a specific amount of money) as a price
▪ The dealer originally asked [=wanted] $20,000 for the car, but he sold it to me for $18,000. ▪ They're asking [=charging] $100 or more per concert ticket. — see also asking price
▪ He's asking just a few friends to the party. ▪ I asked him to lunch. ▪ They asked me over for dinner. ◊To ask someone out is to ask someone to go on a date with you.
▪ I asked her out (on a date), but she turned me down.
▪ She doesn't ask [=expect, require] a lot. She asks very little in return for her hard work. — often + of ▪ The school asks much of its students. [=the school expects its students to do a lot] ▪ He says that people ask too little of their politicians. ▪ He was ready to go to war, should the government ask it of him. [=should the government ask him to go to war]
b : to set (a specific amount of money) as a price
▪ The dealer originally asked [=wanted] $20,000 for the car, but he sold it to me for $18,000. ▪ They're asking [=charging] $100 or more per concert ticket. — see also asking price
ask after [phrasal verb]
ask after (someone or something) : to ask about (someone or something)
▪ He asked after my wife's health. ▪ He greeted us warmly and asked after our families. [=he asked how our families were]
▪ He asked after my wife's health. ▪ He greeted us warmly and asked after our families. [=he asked how our families were]
ask around [phrasal verb]
: to ask many people to tell you information about someone or something
▪ Maybe you should ask around to find out more about this guy. ▪ We usually ask around before trying a new restaurant.
▪ Maybe you should ask around to find out more about this guy. ▪ We usually ask around before trying a new restaurant.
ask for [phrasal verb] 1 ask for (someone) : to request to see or talk to (someone)
▪ Unhappy with the service, he asked for the store manager. ▪ There's someone on the phone asking for you. 2 ask for it informal : to behave in a way that makes someone want to hurt or punish you
▪ You're asking for it, kid! If you keep misbehaving, you're going to get punished. ▪ All right. You asked for it! 3 ask for trouble informal : to behave in a way that is likely to result in trouble
▪ If you invest your money without doing careful research, you're just asking for trouble. — see also ask for the moon at 1moon
▪ Unhappy with the service, he asked for the store manager. ▪ There's someone on the phone asking for you.
▪ You're asking for it, kid! If you keep misbehaving, you're going to get punished. ▪ All right. You asked for it!
▪ If you invest your money without doing careful research, you're just asking for trouble. — see also ask for the moon at 1moon
ask yourself
◊To ask yourself something is to think about the true answer to a question.
▪ Ask yourself what you would do in that situation. ▪ Before buying an expensive item, he needs to ask himself if/whether he can afford it.
▪ Ask yourself what you would do in that situation. ▪ Before buying an expensive item, he needs to ask himself if/whether he can afford it.
don't ask
informal — used to say that something is too strange, embarrassing, or complicated to explain ▪ “She married and divorced a man in the same day? How is that possible?” “Don't ask.”
don't ask me
informal — used to say that you do not know the answer to a question ▪ “Why are they having a company meeting?” “Don't ask me. I only work here.” ▪ Don't ask me why they're changing the system. I think it's fine the way it is.
for the asking
◊If something is yours for the asking, you can have it if you want it or ask for it.
▪ This job is hers for the asking. [=she can have the job if she wants it] ▪ Our services are available/free for the asking. [=our services are available/free for anyone who wants them]
▪ This job is hers for the asking. [=she can have the job if she wants it] ▪ Our services are available/free for the asking. [=our services are available/free for anyone who wants them]
I ask you
◊People use the phrase I ask you before or after a question when they want someone to agree or sympathize with them.
▪ (Now) I ask you, is that fair? [=I don't think it's fair; do you?] ▪ Look at that hat! Who would wear such a thing, I ask you?
▪ (Now) I ask you, is that fair? [=I don't think it's fair; do you?] ▪ Look at that hat! Who would wear such a thing, I ask you?
if you ask me
informal : in my opinion
▪ She looks ridiculous in that hat, if you ask me.
▪ She looks ridiculous in that hat, if you ask me.
who asked you?
informal + impolite — used as a response when someone gives an opinion that is not wanted ▪ “I think you should break up with that guy.” “Who asked you?” [=mind your own business; I don't want to hear your opinion]
