Phrase guide

ask for it

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To provoke an unwanted action; to invite a problem or fail to prevent one.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • Leaving your wallet visible on the car seat is just asking for it.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ask for trouble, look for trouble

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see ask for, it.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • If you'd like a fresh towel at any point during your stay, just ask for it.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

persist with actions or an attitude despite the probability that it will cause trouble

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He is asking for trouble with his behavior

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ask for trouble

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: persevere, persist, hang in, hang on, hold on

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

27 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 找碴 (zhǎochá) — provoke an unwanted action
  • Chinese Mandarin: 找事 (zhǎoshì) — provoke an unwanted action
  • Dutch: erom vragen — provoke an unwanted action
  • Finnish: kerjätä sitä — provoke an unwanted action
  • Finnish: kaivaa verta nenästään — provoke an unwanted action
  • French: le chercher — provoke an unwanted action
  • French: chercher la merde — provoke an unwanted action
  • Greek: πάω γυρεύοντας (páo gyrévontas) — provoke an unwanted action
  • Italian: cercare rogne — provoke an unwanted action
  • Italian: andare in cerca di guai — provoke an unwanted action
  • Italian: andare in cerca di rogne — provoke an unwanted action
  • Italian: cercarsela — provoke an unwanted action
  • Polish: szukać guza — provoke an unwanted action
  • Polish: prosić się o kłopoty — provoke an unwanted action
  • Portuguese: procurar sarna para se coçar — provoke an unwanted action
  • Portuguese: estar a pedi-las — provoke an unwanted action
  • Portuguese: procurar encrenca — provoke an unwanted action
  • Portuguese: caçar problema — provoke an unwanted action
  • Romanian: căuta cu lumânarea — provoke an unwanted action
  • Romanian: căuta pe dracul — provoke an unwanted action
  • Russian: напра́шиваться (naprášivatʹsja) — provoke an unwanted action
  • Russian: напроси́ться (naprosítʹsja) — provoke an unwanted action
  • Russian: лезть на рожо́н (leztʹ na rožón) — provoke an unwanted action
  • Slovak: koledovať si — provoke an unwanted action
  • Spanish: dar papaya — provoke an unwanted action
  • Swedish: tigga om det — provoke an unwanted action
  • Ukrainian: напроситися (naprosytysja) — provoke an unwanted action