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ask back

B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

Invite someone to come to your home, either to return or to come back for the first time as a return invitation.

Meanings

1 B1 informal

To invite someone to come to your home or come inside, especially after meeting them or spending time together.

"After the film they walked home, and she asked him back for a coffee."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 informal

To invite someone to your home as a return of hospitality they have previously shown you.

"They've had us over three times and never asked us back — it's a bit rude."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Most commonly used in two ways: (1) asking someone to come inside your home ('she asked him back for coffee'), and (2) reciprocating a social invitation ('they always come to ours but never ask us back'). Common in British English.

Commonly used with

coffee drinks dinner home place party

Forms

Base
ask back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
asks back
he/she/it
Past simple
asked back
yesterday
Past participle
asked back
have + pp
-ing form
asking back
continuous

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