ask for

Thân thiện

She decided to ask for help with her homework.

Definition

1. Phrasal Verb:
   • To request something: To speak or write to someone because you want them to give you something.
   • To behave in a way that makes something bad or unpleasant likely to happen: To act in a manner that is very likely to result in trouble, problems, or criticism.

Usage and Examples

• To request something:

  • He asked for a glass of water. (He requested that someone give him a glass of water.)
  • You should ask for help if you need it. (You should request assistance.)

• To invite (an unwanted consequence):

  • Driving that fast in the rain is asking for an accident. (That behavior makes an accident very likely.)
  • If you leave your wallet on the table, you're just asking for trouble. (That action is likely to result in a problem, like theft.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The second meaning is often used in a warning or critical tone. It implies that the person's actions are foolish and will naturally lead to a negative outcome.
• It can be used with various nouns representing negative outcomes: , , , .
  • Talking to the manager like that is asking for trouble.
  • Wearing that to a formal event is asking for criticism.

Variants and Related Words

• Request (v): A more formal synonym for the first meaning.
  • She requested a meeting with the director.
• Invite (v): Can be used similarly to the second meaning in a figurative sense.
  • His careless remarks invited controversy.
• Ask (v): The base verb. "Ask for" specifies the thing being requested or the consequence being risked.

Synonyms

• For the first meaning (request): Request, seek, solicit.
• For the second meaning (invite trouble): Court, tempt fate, provoke.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Ask after (someone): To inquire about someone's health or well-being.
  • She asked after your mother.
• Ask around: To ask several people for information or help.
  • I'll ask around and see if anyone has a spare key.

Related Idioms

• Ask for it: An informal idiom identical to the second meaning, implying someone deserves the negative consequence they get.
  • He was rude to the bouncer—he was really asking for it.
• You asked for it: A common retort meaning "you caused this problem yourself."
  • A: "This soup is too spicy!" B: "You asked for it when you said you wanted the hottest dish on the menu."

Học thuật

Verb

1. increase the likelihood of
   • ask for trouble
   • invite criticism

Từ đồng nghĩa

• invite