ask for

ask for
verb
increase the likelihood of (Freq. 4)
-

ask for trouble

-

invite criticism

Syn: ↑invite
Derivationally related forms: ↑invitation (for: ↑invite)
Hypernyms:
arouse, ↑elicit, ↑enkindle, ↑kindle, ↑evoke, ↑fire, ↑raise, ↑provoke
Verb Frames:
-

Somebody ——s something

* * *

ask for [phrasal verb]
1 ask for (someone) : to request to see or talk to (someone)

Unhappy with the service, he asked for the store manager.

There's someone on the phone asking for you.

2 ask for it informal : to behave in a way that makes someone want to hurt or punish you

You're asking for it, kid! If you keep misbehaving, you're going to get punished.

All right. You asked for it!

3 ask for trouble informal : to behave in a way that is likely to result in trouble

If you invest your money without doing careful research, you're just asking for trouble.

— see also ask for the moon at moon, 1
• • •
Main Entry:ask

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Ask for It — Infobox Album Name = Ask for It Type = EP Artist = Hole Released = Start date|1995|9|8 Recorded = November 19, 1991 and March, 1992 Genre = Alternative rock Length = 19:04 Label = Caroline Producer = Mike Robinson Reviews = *Robert Christgau… …   Wikipedia

  • ask for the moon — or[cry for the moon] {v. phr.} To want something that you cannot reach or have; try for the impossible. * /John asked his mother for a hundred dollars today. He s always asking for the moon./ Compare: PROMISE THE MOON …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • ask for the moon — or[cry for the moon] {v. phr.} To want something that you cannot reach or have; try for the impossible. * /John asked his mother for a hundred dollars today. He s always asking for the moon./ Compare: PROMISE THE MOON …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • ask for one's hand — {v. phr.} To ask permission to marry someone. * / Sir, John said timidly to Mary s father, I came to ask for your daughter s hand. / …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • ask for one's hand — {v. phr.} To ask permission to marry someone. * / Sir, John said timidly to Mary s father, I came to ask for your daughter s hand. / …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • ask for — {v.}, {informal} To make (something bad) likely to happen to you; bring (something bad) upon yourself. * /Charles drives fast on worn out tires; he is asking for trouble./ * /The workman lost his job, but he asked for it by coming to work drunk… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • ask for — {v.}, {informal} To make (something bad) likely to happen to you; bring (something bad) upon yourself. * /Charles drives fast on worn out tires; he is asking for trouble./ * /The workman lost his job, but he asked for it by coming to work drunk… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Ask — Ask, v. i. 1. To request or petition; usually followed by for; as, to ask for bread. [1913 Webster] Ask, and it shall be given you. Matt. vii. 7. [1913 Webster] 2. To make inquiry, or seek by request; sometimes followed by after. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ask — verb (asked; asking) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English āscian; akin to Old High German eiscōn to ask, Lithuanian eiškoti to seek, Sanskrit icchati he seeks Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1 …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Ask the Dust — infobox Book | name = Ask the Dust title orig = translator = image caption = author = John Fante illustrator = cover artist = country = United States language = English series = genre = Novel publisher = HarperCollins release date = 1939 english… …   Wikipedia

  • for the moon — See: ASK FOR THE MOON or CRY FOR THE MOON …   Dictionary of American idioms

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