ask for shame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for shame" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a request for someone to feel shame or to acknowledge shame, but the wording is awkward and unclear. Example: "If you continue to behave this way, you might as well ask for shame."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I couldn't ask, for shame, "What accident?" But the uncertainty squirmed in my imagination, taking on foul forms.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Taking a year off to sleep and slough my mind of all baggage sounded glorious: to give my mind and body exactly what they ask for, with no shame or fear, and to let them heal themselves.

HuffPost

Hurrah for the princess for getting angry enough to ask for another table, and shame on the childish professionals.

The New York Times - Style

My local pharmacist in Hampstead was very apologetic to me for selling them, but she told me that people do ask for them, which is a shame because they can give people a false sense of security or cause unnecessary panic".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's okay to ask for help, there's no shame in that.

Huffington Post

In order to heal it, we need to recognize it, reality check it, share our story about it, and then talk about how we are feeling and ask for what we need when shame arises.

HuffPost

We'll offer up critiques if we have time and if you ask for it, and there's no shame in just wanting to show us what you can do without any critique at all.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Develop the ability to ask for help and resources without feeling shame.

Forbes

Young people also noted that while married people may freely ask for family planning, they are inhibited because of the shame associated with procuring contraceptives [ 6, 18].

BMC Public Health

She relaxes, pleased she has identified the importance of asking for help: "My shame was out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Plus, by making Emma so unlikable O'Neill is able to undermine the defence of 'they were asking for it' and shame victim blaming.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "ask for shame" as it is not a standard or grammatically correct expression in English. Consider alternative phrases that clearly convey your intended meaning.

Common error

Do not assume that "ask for shame" is a valid idiomatic expression. It may be misunderstood or interpreted as nonsensical. Instead, use phrases like "invite shame" or "deserve shame" to express the intended meaning accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for shame" functions as a verb phrase where "ask" is the verb and "for shame" is the prepositional phrase acting as an object. However, based on Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear, established meaning in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ask for shame" is not a standard or grammatically correct expression in English. Ludwig AI indicates that it lacks a clear, established meaning, making its usage potentially confusing or nonsensical. Though present in a few sources, mainly "News & Media", it's advisable to use alternative phrases like "invite shame" or "deserve shame" to convey the intended meaning accurately and avoid misinterpretation. Due to its grammatical incorrectness and lack of widespread usage, it is best to avoid using the phrase "ask for shame" in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

invite shame

Suggests actions that are likely to lead to shame.

seek shame

Implies a deliberate pursuit of shame, either for oneself or another.

deserve shame

Indicates that someone's actions warrant feelings of shame.

bring shame upon

Highlights the act of causing shame to someone or something.

feel ashamed

Expresses the emotion of shame experienced by someone.

express remorse

Conveys a sense of deep regret and shame for one's actions.

show contrition

Indicates a sincere feeling of regret and shame for wrongdoing.

acknowledge guilt

Highlights the recognition and acceptance of one's guilt and shame.

wear the mantle of shame

Figuratively describes someone carrying the burden of shame.

bear the stigma

Emphasizes the social disgrace associated with a particular action or condition.

FAQs

What does "ask for shame" mean?

The phrase "ask for shame" is not a standard English expression and doesn't have a widely recognized meaning. It might be interpreted as actions that invite disgrace, but it's best to use clearer alternatives.

What can I say instead of "ask for shame"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "invite shame", "deserve shame", or "bring shame upon". These alternatives provide clearer and more common ways to express similar ideas.

Is it correct to say "ask for shame"?

No, it is not considered correct to say "ask for shame". This phrase does not follow standard English grammar and is unlikely to be understood clearly. Opt for more conventional expressions.

How can I use the idea of 'inviting shame' in a sentence?

Instead of "ask for shame", you could say, "His actions "invited shame" on his family," or "By behaving that way, he seemed to "seek shame"".