Enquire about chore beginner ignored at a later time (3,5)

I believe the answer is:

ask after

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'chore beginner ignored at a later time' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'enquire about' is the wordplay.
'enquire' becomes 'ask' (to enquire is to ask or question).
'about' becomes 'after' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'ask'+'after'='ASK AFTER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for ask after that I've seen is " Enquire about someone".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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