ask for it
slang To act in a way that warrants the punishment or other repercussion that follows. 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 been asking for it. OK, you asked for it! I'm going to knock your block off!
ask for trouble
To do something or act in a manner that will very likely result in trouble, difficulty, or danger. (Usually used in the past or present continuous tense.) Those kids were just asking for trouble when they went trespassing on my property, and now trouble is what they'll get! I know you're annoyed at your boss for making you come in on the weekend, but don't go asking for trouble! Get out of my face, man—you're asking for trouble!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
ask for trouble
and look for troubleFig. to seem to be trying to get into trouble; to do something that would cause trouble; to do or say something that will cause trouble. Stop talking to me that way, John. You're just asking for trouble. The guard asked me to leave unless I was looking for trouble.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
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.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017