Dictionary

ask for it en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, informal) To provoke an unwanted action; to invite a problem or fail to prevent one.
   • Leaving your wallet visible on the car seat is just asking for it.
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see ask for, it.
   • If you'd like a fresh towel at any point during your stay, just ask for it.

Forms

Relateds

get what one asked for · just deserts · serve someone right · play with fire · have it coming

Synonyms

look for trouble · ask for trouble

Translations (27)

sv tigga om det (provoke an unwanted action) · uk напроситися (provoke an unwanted action) · pt caçar problema (provoke an unwanted action) · es dar papaya (provoke an unwanted action) · ro căuta cu lumânarea (provoke an unwanted action) · nl erom vragen (provoke an unwanted action) · pl prosić się o kłopoty (provoke an unwanted action) · pt estar a pedi-las (provoke an unwanted action) · ru напра́шиваться (provoke an unwanted action) · sk koledovať si (provoke an unwanted action) · it andare in cerca di rogne (provoke an unwanted action) · it cercare rogne (provoke an unwanted action) · ru напроси́ться (provoke an unwanted action) · el πάω γυρεύοντας (provoke an unwanted action) · ru лезть на рожо́н (provoke an unwanted action) · cmn 找事 (provoke an unwanted action) · pt procurar sarna para se coçar (provoke an unwanted action) · pt procurar encrenca (provoke an unwanted action) · it andare in cerca di guai (provoke an unwanted action) · fi kaivaa verta nenästään (provoke an unwanted action) · cmn 找碴 (provoke an unwanted action) · fr chercher la merde (provoke an unwanted action) · ro căuta pe dracul (provoke an unwanted action) · fi kerjätä sitä (provoke an unwanted action) · fr le chercher (provoke an unwanted action) · pl szukać guza (provoke an unwanted action) · it cercarsela (provoke an unwanted action)