inside

an inside job

a crime committed by someone against the organization that they work for. The computers were taken from a locked room, which makes it look like an inside job. (not used with the)

See also: job

have the inside track (mainly American)

to have a special position within an organization or a special relationship with a person that gives you advantages that other people do not have. He thinks I have the inside track with the director so he keeps hassling me for information. (often + with)

See also: track

know something inside out (informal)

to know everything about a subject. Why don't you ask Mike? He knows the system inside out.

See also: know

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have the inside track

to have an advantage in a competitive situation. Of the three advisors, Maddie may have the inside track because her personality fits perfectly with the president's. In this year's election, we've got the inside track, and the horse on the inside track is me.

Etymology: based on the inside curve of the track for horse races, which is not as long as the outer part and gives an advantage to the horse running in that position

See also: track

know something inside out

to know everything about something. I know this machine inside out.

See also: know

turn something inside out

to change something completely. It's as if everything I thought I knew about my family has been turned inside out.

turn something on its head

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of turn something inside out (= put the inside part of something on the outside)

See also: turn