ask for it

ask for it

slang To act in a way that warrants the punishment or other repercussions that follow. This is a set phrase. 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

ask for it

If something bad happens to someone or is done to someone and you say that they asked for it, you mean that they deserved it. I may have been cruel to Brian on occasions, but he asked for it.

See also: ask

ˈask for trouble/it

(informal) (usually used in the progressive tenses) behave in a way that is likely to result in problems: They’re asking for trouble, leaving young children alone in the house like that. ♢ She’s really asking for it, the way she comes in late every day.

See also: ask, trouble