ask out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Invite someone on a romantic date
Why “out”? Someone leaves home to eat, meet people, or enjoy free time.
“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
eat out
Same out pattern: social out
Have a meal at a restaurant
get out
Same out pattern: social out
Leave a room, car or building; Become known publicly, often by accident; Leave home to meet people or enjoy free time; 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
go out
Same out pattern: social out
Leave to socialise or travel; Stop burning or producing light from a flame
hang out
Same out pattern: social out
Spend time in a relaxed way, often with friends
take out
Same out pattern: social out
Remove something from inside; Invite someone to go somewhere socially; Borrow from a library
ask about
Same base verb: ask
Make enquiries concerning something
ask after
Same base verb: ask
Politely ask about someone's health or wellbeing
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