inquire

inquire about (someone or something)

To ask or try to learn more about someone or something. The alternative spelling, "enquire," is more common in British English. Primarily heard in US. Mother, if Gerald inquires about you, what should I tell him? I'm inquiring about that bill right now.
See also: inquire

inquire after (one)

To ask how one is doing, especially regarding their health. The alternative spelling, "enquire," is more common in British English. Primarily heard in US. Mother, if Gerald inquires after you, what should I tell him? Mark inquired after you when I ran into him at the conference.
See also: after, inquire

inquire for (one)

To request to see or speak to one. If anyone calls inquiring for Anne, just tell them she's in a meeting.
See also: inquire

inquire into (something)

To investigate; to look into or ask questions about. The HR department has been inquiring into complaints of unfair firing practices. We've inquired into what could be causing the server malfunction. We will keep you posted when we have more information.
See also: inquire

inquire of (one)

dated To ask one (a question). The committee inquired of the councilor whether the transfer of funds had been entirely legal. The guard inquired of the stranger who he was and what business he had at the castle.
See also: inquire, of

inquire of (someone or something)

To ask someone for some type of information. A noun or pronoun can be used between "inquire" and "of." Mother, if Gerald inquires something personal of me, what should I tell him? I'm going to inquire of your mother and see if she knows you snuck out last night.
See also: inquire, of

inquire within

An instruction that one should ask for more information about something inside a particular place. Typically written on signs posted outside of businesses. Help wanted, inquire within. Hey, the sign outside said, "Inquire within," so here I am! Can I get an application for the job?
See also: inquire, within
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

inquire about someone or something

to ask about someone or something. I inquired about Tom and was told that he doesn't live here anymore. You will have to inquire about that at the front desk.
See also: inquire

inquire after someone

to ask about the well-being of someone. Jerry inquired after you when I saw him at the store today. I will inquire after his wife the next time I see him.
See also: after, inquire

inquire for someone

to ask to see someone. Mr. Franklin, there is a man out here inquiring for you. What shall I tell him? Who is inquiring for me?
See also: inquire

inquire into something

to look into something; to investigate something by asking questions. I will inquire into your complaint. It sounds as if something is wrong. We have not inquired into it yet.
See also: inquire

inquire something of someone

to ask some information of someone. I need to inquire something of you. May I inquire something personal of you?
See also: inquire, of

inquire within

to ask questions of a person inside [some place, such as a store or office]. (Formula. On a sign posted outside.) "Help wanted. Inquire within," read the sign on the door. If you want to apply, you must inquire within.
See also: inquire, within
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

inquire after

Ask about the health or condition of someone or something. For example, She was inquiring after you in particular. [c. 1600]
See also: after, inquire
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

inquire about

v.
To seek information about something or someone: I went to the store and inquired about available jobs.
See also: inquire

inquire after

v.
To ask about the health or condition of someone: My neighbor cordially inquired after my mother, who was in the hospital.
See also: after, inquire
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • inquire about
  • inquire about (someone or something)
  • enquire
  • enquire about (someone or something)
  • inquire after
  • inquire after (one)
  • have the craic
  • craic
  • keep stum
  • stum [st?m]
References in periodicals archive
For every biology term in the book, Inquire Biology presents a detailed concept summary page.
Unlike most glossaries, the Inquire Biology concept summary is not a dead end but can act as a catalyst to further learning--pop-up definitions and follow-up questions help students explore relationships between concepts and dig deeper into the material.
Inquire Biology is proactive, suggesting questions in a variety of contexts to help illustrate the types of questions Inquire Biology can answer.
The student can either enter a free-form question directly, or enter a list of biology terms, Inquire Biology will suggest questions related to free-form questions as the student types, helping students formulate their questions and offering alternatives for cases where Inquire Biology cannot understand the free-form question directly.
In response to each question, inquire Biology returns a detailed answer with context to help students focus on what is important.
In accordance with the learning principle of scaffolding (Bliss, Askew, and Macrae 1996), Inquire Bioloqy links to related concepts and suggests follow-up questions, helping students ask the right questions and work their way toward a solution.
Inquire Biology is designed to support two educational use cases: active reading and homework support.
Following is a scenario to illustrate how a student might engage in active reading while using Inquire Biology:
In this example, Inquire Biology has supported active reading in the following ways:
Explain: Inquire Biology's highlighting and note-taking capabilities allow students to mark passages they find particularly important and to extend and summarize the information in their own words.
Inquire biology: a textbook that answers questions
"Nothing but a late courtesy call to inquire about his health, when he was undergoing fistula operation on Sunday.
Tejashwi miffed as Nitish inquires about Lalu's health 'late'
Malik said he met with Nawaz Sharif only to inquire Begum Kulsoom Nawaz health adding neither he has any political agenda nor has any political role.
All speculations about meeting with NS are incorrect: Malik Riaz
Rest of the officials found guilty during inquires were associated with different departments including Education, Sindh Board of Revenue, Agriculture Department, Department of Irrigation and Department of Labour.
Sources said the meeting also decided to reopen the cases for inquires of over 150 officials.
Sources pointed out that most of the inquires against officials of the Sindh Board of Revenue had been launched.
20 officials booked on corruption charges