engage (one) in (something)

1. To do some task or activity. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is not typically used between "engage" and "in." Dad is engaged in fixing the car, so he can't talk right now. Hang on, I'm in engaged in ironing, and I don't want to burn myself! Ugh, I'm engaged in cleaning out the attic today—please come keep me company!

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. Although Dad tries to engage me in auto repairs, they're just not interesting to me. I'm sorry I didn't call you back—Jenny engaged me in some juicy gossip from school.

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. Don't worry, I'll engage the interns in filing or something. If we have a substitute teacher, they're just going to engage us in dumb busy work all day.

engage (someone) to (someone)

To betroth oneself or someone to someone else; to enter two people into an engagement to be married. I refuse to let my family engage me to a man I've never met before. I can't believe they've engaged Elizabeth to that awful man, simply because he will increase their family's status in this town. I refuse to engage our only daughter to a man she doesn't love!

engage in small talk

To chat with someone, usually a stranger or acquaintance, about benign topics (such as the weather or one's employment). Because Tom and Joe had never met before, they engaged in small talk by the appetizers. If you think that girl's pretty, go over and engage in small talk with her. I want to have deep conversations with people, not engage in small talk! That's so boring and superficial to me.

engaged to (one)

Betrothed to one; engaged to be married to one. You know Kelly's engaged to Cristina, so stop flirting with her! Alicia sported a gorgeous diamond ring after getting engaged to Ed. Wait, Sophia was engaged to Matt? Whoa, I didn't know their relationship had been that serious.

engage in small talk

to talk only about minor matters rather than important matters or personal matters. All the people at the party were engaging in small talk. They chatted about the weather and otherwise engaged in small talk.

See also: engage, small, talk

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References in periodicals archive

That you, on 16 December 2013, at Affin Bank Berhad, Bangunan Getah Asli Branch, Tingkat Bawah, 148, Jalan Ampang, in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, did engage in money laundering, in that you engaged directly in a transaction that involves proceeds of unlawful activity, to wit, by causing to be deposited proceeds of unlawful activity amounting to RM100,000.00 into Affin Bank Berhad account number: 1 58 belonging to you, thereby you have committed an offence under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001 (Act 613), punishable under Section 4(1) of the same Act.

The laundry list of Rosmah's money-laundering charges

The court was informed that the EOBI had engaged different private counsel in 87 cases in violation of rules.

SC serves notices on two judges in EOBI fee case

Talal Chaudhry appearing before the court submitted that he had engaged Asma Jehangir for pleading his case but she has passed away hence more time is required to engage a new counsel .

SC gives one more week to Talal to engage counsel

A new study by management consultancy firm Gallup has revealed that only 16 per cent of employees in the UAE feel engaged in their jobs, and that improvements in this metric would help the country achieve its happiness and positivity targets.

Better employee engagement would improve UAE life satisfaction

The session explored how to keep employees engaged, ensure they develop their full potential, and stay committed to their role so they contribute very best to the success of a hotel.

Employee engagement is vital in hospitality

workforce (51%) is not engaged, according to Gallup's State of the American Workplace report.

The Right Culture: Not About Employee Happiness

The first stage of engaging foreign consultants was initiated two years ago, which Macedonian companies used as advisory bodies, and so far 50 foreign consultants have been engaged.

This year to engage 55 foreign experts

(OTCQB: ENGA) is a mobile technology, marketing and data company that help businesses acquire new customers and keep existing customers engaged. The Mobile Engagement System is a proprietary technology that delivers a value-added service to the consumer and corporate customers.

ENGAGE AND HUB DATA ACQUIRE WEB HOSTING PLATFORM

The Hay Group, for instance, has found that only two-thirds of employees worldwide are engaged and that these numbers have been falling since 2007.

Are you sure your employees are engaged?

Synopsis: American workers who are engaged in their work and workplace eat healthier, exercise more frequently, and consume more fruits or vegetables.

In U.S., Engaged Employees Exercise More, Eat Healthier; More than half of engaged employees exercise frequently

We wanted to learn more about how they're spending their money, which brands they choose, why they make the choices they do, and how engaged they are with the brands they're using or considering.

Luring Restaurant Customers Back; For many people, dining out hasn't been on the menu since the recession. But there are ways to whet customers' appetites