ask for trouble

ask for trouble — phrasal verb

  • ask for troublebase form
  • asks for trouble3rd person singular
  • asking for trouble-ing form
  • asked for troublepast simple

1. to do or say things that make it very likely you will face problems or difficult

1.phrasal verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to do or say things that make it very likely you will face problems or difficulties

Example

Kenji knew that leaving his laptop on the train seat was asking for trouble.

continuous tense: was asking for trouble

Posting your exact home address on a public website is asking for trouble.

Common collocations
  • is/was asking for trouble
  • that's asking for trouble
  • just asking for trouble
Synonyms
  • court danger

    more formal and less common; implies knowingly taking a serious risk

  • tempt fate

    suggests challenging luck or destiny rather than causing practical problems

  • push one's luck

    more informal; focuses on continuing risky behaviour after initial success

Grammar Patterns

be + asking for trouble

Usage Note

This phrase almost always appears in the continuous form (be asking for trouble), not as a simple verb phrase (ask for trouble). The subject is typically an action or situation, not a person.

Common Mistakes

He asks for trouble every day.
He is asking for trouble with that attitude.
The phrase is almost always used with a continuous tense, not simple present.

Etymology

First known use

1871

1871, in the meaning defined above