Note: a) The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase ask for something—1. request smth.: The most important step towards treating depression—and sometimes the most difficult—is asking for help. 2. = inquire for some- thing: As we got off, we overheard a tourist asking for the Museum of Anthropology, so we followed her. 3. (in the phrase “ask for trouble”) act in a way that is likely to cause problems or trouble: I think taking a hot cup of anything in a car is asking for trouble. b) Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase inquire into something— examine or investigate smth.: The commission may refer the matter to the board with a direction to inquire into the matter. inquire after someone • inquire for someone inquire after someone—(also: inquire about someone) ask about a person’s welfare or state of health: He was inquiring after you and sent his kind regards. inquire for someone—ask to see a person; ask if smb. is avail- able: While you were out, a young man rang up inquiring for you. insensible of something • insensible to something insensible of something —unaware of smth.; unresponsive to smth.: She seemed wholly insensible of the honor done to her. insensible to something —unable to understanding other peo- ple’s feelings, hardships, etc.: He was one of those men who are quite insensible to the suffering they cause. insensitive about something • insensitive to something insensitive about something—not easily offended or worried about smth.: Ping mentally berated herself for being so absolutely insensitive about the cleanliness of his house. insensitive to something—1. not susceptible or vulnerable to smth.: The virus is highly insensitive to cold, which renders it capable of surviving during prolonged periods of sub-freez- ing temperatures. 2. unable to understanding other people’s feelings, hardships, etc.: We put blinders on our ability to see the needs of others. We become insensitive to their problems, to their suffering, to their poverty. inset something • set in something inset something —insert smth. into a larger thing: Mr. Talaga carved the plaque and inset it into the granite boulder he placed under the flowering bush. set in something —add smth. to existing items: The city has approved the plan to set in another mobile home shop tem- porarily while construction of building is going on. inside and out • inside out inside and out—in every part; throughout: We searched the house inside and out for the kitten. inside out—1. so that the inside is turned outside: Mother turns the stockings inside out when she washes them. 2. know smth. extremely well: Duane has worked on numerous Toyotas so knows them inside out . See also: in and out / ins and outs. inside of something • inside something inside of something —in less than a particular period of time: Our experiences have been so many and varied that it’s hard to believe it all happened inside of one week. inside something —1. within smth.: Several sources inside the committee confirmed that some members are considering walking out of the meeting. 2. = inside of something: Many species can lay eggs continuously and with ideal temperatures a cycle can be completed inside one week. intelligence agent • intelligent agent intelligence agent—(also: secret agent) a person secretly employed in espionage for a government: Those reports center on a shadowy figure called Maurice Bishop — likely a pseudo- nym—said to have been an intelligence agent . intelligent agent—(Computers) a program that does things for the user, such as filtering e-mail, etc.: IVOS (Intelligent Voice Operating System) is an intelligent agent that allows you to run your computer via voice commands. interest in something • interest on something interest in something—1. said of smth. with which a person concerns himself because he enjoys it: As women develop greater interest in sport, their own attitude to their bodies has changed. 2. condition of wanting smth. to be done: What set him apart from most other writers are his personal honesty and courage, his passionate interest in carrying through his ideas. 3. a legal share in the ownership of a business: Everyone in town has interest in some businesses, and it is impossible not to have dealings with business people. interest on something—money charged or paid for the use of monetary means: Most of your monthly payments will be used to pay the interest on the loan. interfere in someone’s affairs • interfere with someone interfere in someone’s affairs—meddle in the affairs of another person (offering unsolicited advice, etc.): She knew how much he hated it when she interfered in his affairs . interfere with someone—(euph.) molest or assault a person sexually: She had reason to suspect that Sandra had been “interfered” with . interfere in something • interfere with something interfere in something —intervene in smth. which is not one’s concern: They may interfere in elections by the use of corrupt means to bribe or intimidate the electors. interfere with something—1. meddle with smth., making unauthorized changes, etc.: The dispatcher warned the employee that he would be fired if he again interfered with the dispatch system. 2. (of events, circumstances, etc.) hinder, obstruct, or prevent smth.: The recent hurricane interfered with our plans so we have rescheduled the trip for the coming week. interview someone for a job • interview with someone for a job interview someone for a job—(of an employer) discuss em- ployment in a particular job with a prospective employee: The TV station was looking for a producer and wanted to interview her for the job . interview with someone for a job—(of smb. seeking employ- ment) discuss employment in a particular job with a prospec- tive employer: She interviewed with the company for a job in the business department. involved in something • involved with something involved in something—actively engaged in smth.; being a party to smth.: Auto companies often did become involved in projects having nothing to do with their principal activity. involved with something—having to do with smth.; having a close relationship with smth.: “Your company has a farm products division.” “I’m not involved with it, and don’t expect to be.” iron horse • iron pony iron horse—1. a locomotive steam engine: The engineer returned to his iron horse and the train started. 2. a bicycle: – 199 – iron horse