inside

in|side1 [ ın`saıd ] function word ***

Inside can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun):

What's inside the envelope? Inside of is sometimes used instead of inside, especially in American English:

The beetles live inside of the tree.

as an adverb (without a following noun):

I opened the box and looked inside.

as an adjective (always before a noun):

the inside pages of a newspaper

1. ) within the inner part or area of something

a ) enclosed in a container or space:

I always keep important papers locked inside my desk.

I opened up my suitcase to show them what was inside.

inside of: What's inside of the box?

b ) used for saying that someone or something is in a room or building, especially when you are outside:

Richard was now safe inside his castle.

There were lights on inside and I could hear voices.

houses without running water or an inside toilet

c ) within an area or country:

Draw a triangle inside the circle.

An F-117A Stealth aircraft crashed inside Serbia.

Kasapis scored the final goal with a low shot from inside the penalty area.

d ) on the inner side of something:

She was standing just inside the door.

Cassidy had one hand inside his jacket, as if reaching for something.

inside pocket/lining (=on the inner side of a coat, case, etc.): Adam produced a small notebook from his inside pocket.

e ) in the inner part of something:

The photographs were on the inside pages of several Sunday newspapers.

The melon was still green inside.

2. ) moving or looking into something

a ) into a building:

Come inside, out of the rain.

As I walked past the door, I glanced inside.

You're not allowed to go inside the museum without paying.

b ) into an enclosed container or empty space:

She reached inside her handbag and pulled out an envelope.

Loretta opened the fridge and peered inside.

inside of: What did he put inside of the trunk?

3. ) within an organization

a ) within an organization or group:

There is a battle being fought inside the Reform Party.

from inside: The rumors are coming from inside the company.

b ) only before noun only known by people who belong to a particular organization or group:

the inside story: the inside story of how a trade union destroyed itself

inside knowledge: They seemed to have inside knowledge of CIA operations.

inside information: The thieves clearly had inside information that allowed them to know when the building would be unguarded.

4. ) in your mind in someone's mind, but not always shown or expressed:

He was silent, but Elizabeth could sense the anger burning inside him.

I knew how stubborn he could be once he'd gotten an idea inside his head.

5. ) in your stomach

a ) already drunk or eaten:

With half a bottle of brandy inside me, I was beginning to feel unsteady.

inside of: You'll feel better once you get some dinner inside of you.

b ) used for talking about a feeling you have in your stomach:

I suddenly felt sick inside.

6. ) within a period of time done in less than a particular amount of time:

All the remaining business could be completed inside half an hour.

He swam the 200 meters just inside the European record.

inside of: They can usually give you an answer inside of an hour.

7. ) in prison INFORMAL spending time in a prison:

The poor guy did three years inside for a crime he never committed.

know someone/something inside and out

to know someone or something very well

─ opposite OUTSIDE

inside

in|side 2 [ ın`saıd ] noun count usually singular

1. ) the inner part of something:

the inside of something: I had never seen the inside of a prison before.

2. ) the part of something that faces inward:

the inside of something: There were scratches all down the inside of my leg.

We need to clean the inside of the windows as well as the outside.

someone's inside(s) INFORMAL

the organs in a body, especially the stomach or INTESTINES:

a dead animal with its insides hanging out

on the inside

1. ) someone who is on the inside works in the organization or is a member of the group that you are talking about:

If you want to know what is really happening in a company, ask the people on the inside.

2. ) BRITISH if a car passes you on the inside, it goes between your car and the edge of the road when you are nearer the middle of the road

3. ) if someone in a race is on the inside, they are on the part of a circular track that is nearest the center