ask for

British  

verb

1. to try to obtain by requesting

   he asked for help

2. informal (intr) to behave in a provocative manner that is regarded as inviting (trouble)

   she's asking for trouble

   you're asking for it

3. to ask after

   tell your parents I'm asking for them

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ask for Idioms  

1. Also, ask for it. To persist in an action despite the likelihood that it will bring trouble on oneself, as in Speeding as much as he does, he has been asking for a ticket and Mary deserved that low grade; in effect, she asked for it by not studying. [c. 1900] Also see ask for the moon.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ask for

"It's a struggle affording everything for baby and me, sometimes we have to ask for help even when we don't want to, but we will when it comes to our babies," she said.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

"While these are merely requests and do not imply that visitors will be forcibly asked to leave, we earnestly ask for your understanding of the intent behind these guidelines and your cooperation," its statement said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

Lumentum runs five indium-phosphide plants and is still shipping more than 30% below what customers ask for.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 7, 2026

The Times reached out to board members to ask for a copy of compensation data used, but received no response.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Annie said we should go over to Mr. Gorringe and ask for his autograph.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman

Related Words

• assert
• call for
• claim
• confront
• defy
• demand
• denounce
• impose
• require
• test
• try