(it) doesn't hurt to ask

(it) doesn't hurt to ask

There is usually no risk to asking a question, since a negative response would be essentially the same result as not asking at all. A: "Do you think he would give me a better deal on this car?" B: "Well, it doesn't hurt to ask." It doesn't hurt to ask. Maybe they'll even give you a raise! A: "I wonder if Miss Fisher would give me an extension on this assignment." B: "Well, she's notoriously strict, but I guess it doesn't hurt to ask."

See also: ask, hurt, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

(It) doesn't hurt to ask. and (It) never hurts to ask.

a phrase said when one asks a question, even when the answer is known to be no. John: Can I take some of these papers home with me? Jane: No, you can't. You know that. John: Well, it doesn't hurt to ask. Sue: Can I have two of these? Sally: Certainly not! Sue: Well, it never hurts to ask. Sally: Well, it just may!

See also: and, ask, hurt, never, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.