Haven’t had any ideas on this one yet today. But, looking at it now I have an idea. Remains to be seen whether it’s a good one or not.

foas - you’re East Coast, yes? From West Coast, I know I’ve heard the term ’starters’ for a first course in a more formal dinner or even listed that way on menus. But, apps, the more casual word, is what first comes to mind for me. We definitely say four-uh-ners. A very different sound for the ’IN’ part of inners. My birthplace is MT & I spent adolescence & teen years in AK so I don’t think I have a typical regional accent or speech pattern. A person once told me I sounded like I came from NY. Didn’t say which part but I think that’s the MT influence.

I’ll agree this is an easy one if / when my answer is deemed correct. I’ve been sucked into thinking “of course, what else could it be?“ and then found it was indeed something else! 😁

I got "he's not in there". I'd be unlikely to say "he's out of there" so that one didn't occur to me.