# ask in

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ask-in
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to invite someone who is at your door to come inside your house or a room.

For teachers: to invite a person to enter a building or room, typically upon their arrival at the entrance.

## Examples

- The neighbor is at the door, so please ask him in.
- It was starting to rain, so she quickly asked the delivery driver in while she looked for her wallet.
- Although they were in the middle of a private discussion, they felt it would be rude not to ask the visitor in for a coffee.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I asked in him." but "I asked him in." — when the object is a pronoun like 'him' or 'her', it must go between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- this is a transitive phrasal verb that requires an object, usually a person.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'invite over', which implies a planned social event, whereas 'ask in' usually happens spontaneously at the doorstep.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.