inside

*inside track

Fig. an advantage (over someone) gained through special connections, special knowledge, or favoritism. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) If I could get the inside track, I could win the contract. The boss likes me. Since I've got the inside track, I'll probably be the new office manager.

See also: track

get inside something 

1. Lit. to go inside of something or some place. Get inside the house and wait for me. Get inside the car so you won't get wet.

2. Fig. to learn about the inner workings of something or some organization. I can't wait to get inside that company and see what makes it tick. Someone needs to get inside the boardroom and straighten things out.

See also: get

hold something in and keep something in 

1. and hold something inside ((of) one(self)); keep something inside ((of) one(self)) Fig. to keep one's emotions inside oneself. You really shouldn't hold those feelings inside of you. I have kept all this inside myself too long. You shouldn't hold in all that anger.

2. Lit. to hold in one's stomach, gut, belly, etc. Hold your belly in so you don't look like a blimp. Hold in your stomach.

See also: hold

inside a week

in less than a week. We must get all this sorted out inside a week; all right? We've got inside a week to get it right.

See also: week

inside information

information known only by those most involved with the issue; secret information relating to an organization. I have some inside information about the Smith Company.

See also: information

inside job

a crime committed by someone working or living at the scene of the crime. There was little doubt that it was an inside job, thought the inspector. It's a particularly cunning way to carry out an inside job.

See also: job

inside joke

a joke that only certain people understand; a joke understood only by people who know certain facts and context. What you said must be an inside joke. It makes no sense to me.

See also: joke

inside story

an explanation known only by those most involved with the issue. Well, I've heard the inside story, and it isn't what you were told at all!

See also: story

keep inside (of something)

to remain inside of something, usually a shelter, house, etc. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) Please keep inside of the house while it's raining. I want you to keep inside.

See also: keep

know something inside out

to know something thoroughly; to know about something thoroughly. I know my geometry inside out. I studied and studied for my driver's test until I knew the rules inside out.

See also: know, out

step inside (some place)

to walk into a place. Please step inside my office, and we will discuss this matter. Please step inside.

See also: step

think inside the box

Fig. to think in traditional fashion, bound by old, nonfunctional, or limiting structures, rules, or practices. (As if thinking or creativity were confined or limited by a figurative box. Compare this with think outside the box.) You won't come up with good ideas if you think only inside the box. You guys only think inside the box and will never find a better solution.

See also: box, think

turn someone or something inside out

to evert someone or something; to pull the inside of someone or something out to become the outside. (With people, this refers to mutilation.) I felt like the explosion was going to turn me inside out. Ken turned his pockets inside out.

See also: out, turn

turn some place inside out

Fig. to search some place thoroughly. I will find that book if I have to turn this place inside out! I turned the room inside out and still didn't find it.

See also: out, place, some, turn

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an inside job

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

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 (often + with ) He thinks I have the inside track with the director so he keeps hassling me for information.

See know inside out

See also: have, 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, out

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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: have, track

know something backwards and forwards also know something inside out

to be extremely well informed about something After 30 years in the fashion business, she knows it backwards and forwards. He knows New York inside out.

Related vocabulary: know something like the back of your hand

See also: and, backward, forwards, know

know something inside out

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

See also: know, out

turn something inside out

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

Related vocabulary: 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: out, turn