# asking for a friend

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/asking-for-a-friend
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Indicates that a question is embarrassing by pretending to be posing the question on behalf of another person.

## Examples

- How do you remove red wine stains, asking for a friend?
- I am asking for a friend, but is it normal to feel nervous before a first date?
- He inquired about the legal consequences of breaking a lease early, quickly adding that he was merely asking for a friend.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.