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

Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami was about as sure a marketing hit as you could ask for.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

At this time, we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 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

“And he sends a little gecko to ask for a refreshment.”

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness

Related Words

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