1
general::
Phrase(s): ask someone for something
1. to request something from someone. • The diners asked the waiter for a type of wine the restaurant didn’t have. • A special wine was asked for by a number of patrons. 2. and ask someone to something to invite someone to something. • Janet asked us to a party Friday evening. • Janet asked us for dinner., Phrase(s): ask for someone or something
to request someone or something; to ask that someone come forth. • The police are at the door asking for Henry. • The child asked for a glass of water., Phrase(s): ask for something bad or dire
to act badly, such that one will bring on bad consequences. • If you keep misbehaving, you’ll be asking for punishment. • You’re really asking for it!
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Also, ask for it. To persist in an action despite the likelihood that it will bring trouble on oneself, as in Speeding as much as he does, he has been asking for a ticket and Mary deserved that low grade; in effect, she asked for it by not studying. [c. 1900] Also see ASK FOR THE MOON.
American Heritage Idioms