ask for
Say that you want something, or say you want to speak to a particular person.
Meanings
To make a request for something you want.
"Don't be afraid to ask for help if you don't understand the instructions."
"Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it."
— Maya Angelou (widely attributed quotation)
To request to speak to or see a specific person.
"When you arrive at reception, ask for Dr. Walsh."
To behave in a way that makes something negative likely to happen (similar to 'ask for it').
"Leaving your wallet on the table like that is just asking for trouble."
One of the most fundamental phrasal verbs in English. Used in almost every situation where a request is made. 'Ask for' is also used to mean inviting trouble, as in 'you're asking for it' (see 'ask for it'). Very high frequency across all registers.
Commonly used with
Forms
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