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:

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  • ask for the moon — ask/wish/for the moon phrase to want something that is impossible to get or achieve I’m not asking for the moon. I just want you to finish on time. Thesaurus: to want somethingsynonym Main entry: moon * * * ask for t …   Useful english dictionary

  • ask for the moon — ask for a lot, ask for more than you need or want    When we negotiate our salary let s try this strategy: Ask for the moon and hope for a 10% raise …   English 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 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

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