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

In our 25 years of working with refugee professionals, we know they aren’t asking for handouts.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the end of the hearing in Tunis, Gueblaoui asked for permission to embrace his mother, before collapsing into her arms, causing a stir in the courtroom.

From Barron's

Her suggestions include eating well, taking time to slow down - even on the busiest days - and asking for support if needed.

From BBC

So far, councils in Hastings and East and West Sussex have confirmed they have asked for a delay.

From BBC

New assessments have shifted the burden from downtown commercial properties to individual homeowners, and other taxing entities have asked for more money.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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