ask for somebody phrasal verb (see also ask)
if you ask for someone, you want to speak to them:
There’s someone at the door asking for Dad.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

ask for to tell someone you want them to give you something:
I’m going to ask for a pay rise.
order to ask for food or drink in a restaurant:
We ordered some more coffee.
Have you ordered yet?
demand to ask for something in a firm way, insisting that someone gives you what you ask for:
They’re demanding immediate payment.
If the goods are faulty, you can demand a refund.
request formal to ask for something:
The pilot requested permission to land.
I enclose the information you requested.
beg/plead to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it:
He begged me for some money.
I’m not going to plead for forgiveness.
nag/pester to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way:
She keeps nagging me for a new phone.
People were pestering him for his autograph.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

ask to speak or write to someone to get an answer:
Did you ask about the price?
They asked me a lot of questions.
inquire/enquire /ɪnˈkwaɪə $ -ˈkwaɪr/ formal to ask someone for information about something:
I’m writing to inquire about the job that was advertised in yesterday’s ‘Times’.
demand especially written to ask a question in a firm or angry way:
‘Why didn’t you call me?’, she demanded.
interview to ask someone questions, to find out if they are suitable for a job, or as part of a television or radio interview:
When they interviewed me for the job, they didn’t mention the salary.
David Letterman has interviewed all the stars.
poll to officially ask a lot of people in order to find out their opinion on something:
Over 1,000 people were polled for the report.
64% of the people we polled said that they approved of the way the government had handled the crisis.
question/interview to ask someone a lot of questions in order to get information about a crime:
He was arrested and questioned by the police.
Detectives are interviewing the father of the missing girl.
interrogate to ask someone a lot of detailed questions, often in an aggressive way:
The men were interrogated by the US authorities for over six hours.
cross-examine to ask someone questions in court about the statements they made:
A second lawyer began to cross-examine the witness.
somebody is helping the police with their inquiries formal used in news reports when saying that the police are asking someone questions about a crime – especially when they think this person is guilty, but have not yet charged them:
He is helping the police with their inquiries in connection with the murder of Diane Jones.
ask for to tell someone you want them to give you something:
I’m going to ask for a pay rise.
order to ask for food or drink in a restaurant:
We ordered some more coffee.
Have you ordered yet?
request formal to ask for something:
The pilot requested permission to land.
I enclose the information you requested.
beg/plead to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it:
He begged me for some money.
I’m not going to plead for forgiveness.
nag/pester to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way:
She keeps nagging me for a new phone.
People were pestering him for his autograph.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

question something that you ask someone, either when speaking or when writing:
Would anyone like to ask any questions?
I’ve emailed the hotel with one or two questions.
query /ˈkwɪəri $ ˈkwɪri/ especially British English a question that you ask when you are not sure you have understood something or that the information you have is correct:
If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent.
Our staff are always available to answer customers’ queries.
inquiry (also enquiry especially British English) /ɪnˈkwaɪəri $ ɪnˈkwaɪri, ˈɪŋkwəri/ a question you ask in order to get information or find out the details about something:
We’ve advertised the house, and we’ve already received lots of enquiries.
The police have been making some inquiries in the area.
request a polite or formal question asking for something that you want or need:
The bank said ‘no’ to our request for more money.
You must make your request in writing.
ask for to tell someone you want them to give you something:
I’m going to ask for a pay rise.
order to ask for food or drink in a restaurant:
We ordered some more coffee.
Have you ordered yet?
demand to ask for something in a firm way, insisting that someone gives you what you ask for:
They’re demanding immediate payment.
If the goods are faulty, you can demand a refund.
beg/plead to ask for something in an urgent way, because you want it very much and will be very unhappy if you do not get it:
He begged me for some money.
I’m not going to plead for forgiveness.
nag/pester to keep asking someone for something, in an annoying way:
She keeps nagging me for a new phone.
People were pestering him for his autograph.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

ask for
ask for (something)
to behave in a way that is likely to cause something bad to happen.
You know you're asking for a punch in the nose, don't you?

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

ask for something
ask for (something)
to behave in a way that is likely to cause something bad to happen.
You know you're asking for a punch in the nose, don't you?

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

ask for
v., informal To make (something bad) likely to happen to you; bring (something bad) upon yourself.
Charles drives fast on worn-out tires; he is asking for trouble.
The workman lost his job, but he asked for it by coming to work drunk several times.
Compare: HAVE IT COMING, SERVE RIGHT, SIGN ONE'S OWN DEATH WARRANT.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲