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. Categories: death informal verb