ask for

ask for

1. To request something. I asked for that report days ago!
2. slang To act in a way that warrants the punishment or other repercussions that follow. In this usage, "ask for" is a set phrase, usually followed by "it." Did you draw on the wall? Oh, you're asking for it now! Mary is a very patient person, so if she dumped Phil, he must have asked for it.
See also: ask
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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.
See also: ask

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.
See also: ask

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!
See also: ask
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

ask for

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.
See also: ask
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

ask for

v.
1. To make a request for something: I can't solve the problem alone, so I'm asking for help.
2. To request someone's presence: I called the front desk and asked for Chris Smith.
3. To behave in a way that is viewed as provoking or inviting some outcome, usually one that is negative: You are asking for an accident by driving so fast!
See also: ask
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

ask for

it/trouble Informal
To persist in an action despite the likelihood that it will result in difficulty or punishment.
See also: ask
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • flag
  • flagged
  • flagging
  • blimp
  • blimp out
  • gun
  • guns
  • garbage
  • brassic lint
  • flashing
References in periodicals archive
If you're going to gain those commitments, you're going to have to ask for them.
4 ways to get better at asking
The counselor asked if they could make a list together each day, and if Sara would ask for directions and reminders from the cabin group.
When it's not on the forms: camper behavior - two case studies
When the cost of a job exceeds $5,000, we ask for lien waivers with every process payment; that is, every time we make a payment to the vendor, he gives us a statement attesting that he has paid his subcontractors.
Marketplace trend: contractor pre-qualification
When you ask for feedback or are engaged in negotiation, listen intently to the answers.
Ask for What You Want
Once you're certified, you can ask for higher pay than non-certified sitters.
Be a supersitter! Baysitting. It's an awesome way to pull in dough for sweet summer spending. But it isn't all child's play--we're talking serious business here. We've got the tips to help you build your biz to the max ... because babysitting is about a lot more than just passing out Goldfish crackers and tying shoelaces
Because the focus of these scenarios is decision making, the questions with the case should routinely ask for possible alternative decisions and the consequences of each, the decision of the student, and why that decision is the best considering the alternatives.
Clinical Scenarios for Critical Thinking
* If you're a seusoned pro, ask for something at the top of the range.
Let's make a deal
A soundly designed communication audit should ask the same two bulleted questions as above, but should ask for the current and preferred sources subject by subject.
Supervisors are not the preferred communicators!
(Make sure that you call your local telephone company and ask for a "pick freeze" that prohibits the local provider from allowing any change in your long-distance service without your written authorization.)
Consumer fraud: the telemarketing hoax
You will need to be patient with yourself in those circumstances and perhaps tell the person that you are distracted and ask for a repeat of the information.
Listening skills for physician executives