# whistle for

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/whistle-for
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To request or ask for with no chance of success.

## Examples

- If you want a refund now, you can whistle for it.
- He expected the company to pay for his mistake, but they told him he could whistle for it.
- The debtor hoped the bank would forgive his massive loan, but the manager coldly informed him he could whistle for any such relief.

---

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.