ask for it
To provoke an unwanted action; to invite a problem or fail to prevent one.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He keeps teasing her, so he's asking for it.”
“Leaving your bike unlocked in this neighborhood is really asking for it.”
“By openly mocking the powerful senator during the hearing, the young journalist was practically asking for it.”
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ask after
To enquire about the health or progress (of someone).
- 02
ask around
To enquire of different people about something.
- 03
ask for the moon
To claim or desire something that one cannot have.
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ask my arse
A common reply to any question; once common at court and among sailors, under the name of "selling bargains".
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ask round
To enquire of several people.
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get what one asked for
Synonym of get what's coming to one.
- 07
shoot first and ask questions later
To take hasty, immediate action with serious consequences, without first adequately investigating the situation.
Last updated August 10, 2026