engage in

engage (one) in (something)

1. To do some task or activity. In this usage, "engage in" is usually a set phrase. Dad is engaged in fixing the car, so he can't talk right now.
2. To include or involve one in something. Phil is always making snide comments, but I refuse to let him engage me in an argument.
3. To occupy one with a task or activity. See if you can engage the kids in a game this afternoon so that I can get some work done.
See also: engage
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

engage someone or something in something

 
1. . to make someone or a group busy doing something. She knew how to engage the boys in useful activity. The den mother engaged the scouts in a woodworking project.
2. to draw someone or something into something. The enemy sought to engage our troops in battle but failed. I tried to engage Gerald in conversation.
See also: engage
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

engage in

v.
1. To participate in some activity: The soldiers engaged in combat. The law students engaged in a mock trial.
2. To involve or draw someone or something into some activity: I engaged the new student in conversation. I was engaged in deep thought when the fire alarm went off.
See also: engage
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • and the rest
  • be a sport
  • angry young man
  • bring (something) with
  • bring with
  • (that's) enough (of this) foolishness
  • benz
  • bear false witness
  • fill in
  • fill out
References in periodicals archive
The overtime pay topic, as well as the issue of whether adjusters actually engage in the practice of law, was debated by editors of the FC&S Bulletins during an educational session at the ACE*SCLA Annual Claims Exposition and Conference held here in late October.
In that case, the court reasoned that adjusters employed by insurance companies do not engage in the unauthorized practice of law.
Never mind that, at the time of Malvo's detention, no one could have predicted that he would engage in homicidal violence.
"By my definition," she explains, "meaningful activities are activities residents can engage in that produce a positive result for them, either by making them feel they've done something well or by simply making them laugh, such as improvisational role-playing for the sheer fun of it.
The perception remains widespread that ADL continues to engage in surveillance of Arab and Muslim groups, and that it will continue to intimidate and silence those voices it deems 'anti-Semitic' under its broad definition that equates anti-Semitism with anti-Zionism or criticism of Israel.
(110) During the Gulf War crisis, government officials fingerprinted and photographed all entrants of Iraqi and Kuwaiti origin--regardless of past activities or evidence that they actually intended to engage in terrorism.
Second, section 406 of ERISA forbids a fiduciary from causing a plan to engage in certain "prohibited transactions" with a "party in interest." Prohibited transactions are per se violations of ERISA, regardless of whether they otherwise satisfy the fiduciary duties of section 404, or even if they are favorable for the plan.
Today, Hare Krishnas chant and dance, Moonies engage in rousing cheers, and no doubt they have a good time doing so, but the business of the left has always
A substantial number of TEI members work for multinational companies that engage in international trade, including many non-U.S.
Those who come to study, teach, engage in research or receive training and intend to return to their home country are nonimmigrants; they are granted visas of the following types: * "F": For an alien who is a bona fide student qualified to pursue a full course of study and who seeks to enter the U.S.
In the I.N.S.'s view, the immigration laws make deportable not only those who engage in or support terrorist acts but all those who support lawful acts undertaken by a group that has also engaged in "terrorism," defined to include virtually any unlawful violent act.
Two Indian naval ships - INS Deepak and INS Tabar - will dock in Mina Salman Port today to enhance bilateral ties and engage in naval exercises with regional forces.
Bush seems to understand and embrace the simple idea that Mexicans deserve economic opportunity- in the sense of freedom to engage in voluntary, productive exchange- as much as anyone born north of the Rio Grande.