ask out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Invite someone on a romantic date
Why “out”? Movement goes from inside to outside.
“He finally asked her out.”
“Mia asked Tom out.”
Don't confuse with
Ask out means invite someone on a date. Ask in means invite someone into your home.
Test yourself
“He finally asked her out.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
ask in
A contrast learners often mix up
Invite someone to enter your home
branch out
Same out pattern: departure
Start doing something new or different; (of a road, river or organisation) split off in a new direction; Become independent and start your own venture
burst out
Same out pattern: departure
Suddenly start crying, laughing or shouting; Say something suddenly and forcefully; Leave a place suddenly and forcefully; (of a sound or song) suddenly begin loudly
check out
Same out pattern: departure
Leave a hotel after paying; Look at or examine
fall out
Same out pattern: departure
Have an argument and stop being friends
get out
Same out pattern: departure
Leave a room, car or building; Become known publicly, often by accident; Go out socially; Manage to escape from a situation; Remove a stain or mark from something; Produce or manage to say words; Publish or release something to the public
hang out
Same out pattern: departure
Spend time in a relaxed way, often with friends
head out
Same out pattern: departure
Set off toward somewhere
Practice “ask out” in Sink In
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