ask after: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘ask after’ mean?
*ask after* means to inquire about someone's well-being or whereabouts, usually out of concern or interest.
Idiom Explorer
When someone says they "know someone," it means they are acquainted or familiar with that person. It implies a level of personal connection or understanding between the two individuals.
"How's tricks" is an informal phrase used to ask someone how they are doing or what they have been up to. It originated in the early 20th century from the world of entertainment, specifically referring to the tricks or performances of magicians or other performers.
The idiom "how's the weather" is used figuratively to ask about someone's current mood or emotional state.
It implies a casual inquiry into how someone is feeling or what their general disposition is like at the moment.
The idiom "how so" is used to inquire about or challenge a statement by asking for further explanation or evidence of its validity.
The idiom "how goes it" is a casual way to ask about someone's well-being or inquire about the progress of a specific situation.
The idiom "how are you" is a common greeting asking about one's well-being or state. It is often used as a polite social interaction and does not typically require an in-depth response.
The idiom "go fish" means to request for someone to provide a requested item of information or to seek out something that is desired or needed. It is often used to indicate that the person being asked does not possess or know the desired item.
The idiom "go begging" means to be unwanted, rejected, or not valued by others.
The idiom "give someone a shout" means to contact or get in touch with someone, typically by calling or messaging them. It implies reaching out to someone to communicate or ask for something.
The idiom *for the asking* means that something is easily obtained or available without any effort or difficulty.
Unveiling inquisitive inquiries
The idiom "ask after" is a common phrase used in English to inquire about someone's well-being, health, or status. It is an expression of interest or concern for the other person. The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the Middle English period, where "ask" meant to request information and "after" referred to a person. Therefore, when someone asks after another person, it shows a genuine interest in their welfare.
This idiom reflects social conventions of politeness and concern for others. By asking after someone, it demonstrates that the speaker cares about their presence in their life. It can be seen as a way to acknowledge the person and their well-being.
The idiom "ask after" is commonly used in both formal and informal settings. It is often used in personal conversations to inquire about the health, whereabouts, or general state of friends, family members, or acquaintances. For example, you might ask someone, "How's your mother doing? I wanted to ask after her." In a professional context, it can be used to inquire about a colleague's progress on a project or ask about a client's satisfaction with a service.
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Another related idiom is "asking for a friend." This phrase is often used when someone wants to ask a sensitive or embarrassing question but doesn't want to reveal that they are personally curious about it. It's a way of distancing oneself from the question and creating plausible deniability. For example, someone might say, "I was just asking for a friend, but how do you ask someone out on a date?" In this case, the person is using the idiom "asking for a friend" to ask about how to approach someone romantically without admitting their own interest.
"ask around" is another related idiom. It means to seek information or opinions from various people. This phrase is often used when someone is trying to gather information or get advice on a particular topic. For example, if you were looking for a good restaurant in a new city, you might say, "I'll ask around and see if anyone knows a good place to eat." This shows that you intend to ask multiple people for their recommendations.
"Ask out" is a phrase often used in the context of dating or romantic relationships. It means to invite someone to go on a date or spend time together. For example, someone might say, "I finally mustered up the courage to ask him out, and he said yes!" This phrase implies that the person expressing interest took the initiative to make a romantic invitation.
"Ask for it" is an idiom that describes a situation where someone willingly brings trouble or negative consequences upon themselves. For example, if someone continually disrespects others and behaves inappropriately, others might say that they are "asking for it" and should expect consequences. This phrase implies that one's actions or behavior directly result in negative outcomes.
The idiom "ask after" is commonly used in English to inquire about someone's well-being, health, or status. It reflects social conventions of politeness and concern for others. The phrase can be used in both personal and professional contexts, as well as in written communication. By using this idiom, individuals convey their genuine interest in the person's welfare and acknowledge their presence in their life.
Example usage
Here are three examples of how the idiom "ask after" can be used in a sentence:
1. She asked after her old friend to see how they were doing.
2. He called to ask after his mother's health.
3. I saw the neighbor's sister at the store and asked after their new baby.
More "Inquiring" idioms
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