outright ask for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outright ask for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that someone is directly requesting something without any hesitation or ambiguity. Example: "I didn't expect him to outright ask for a raise during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They could reject the deal outright, ask for revisions or send it to the entire membership for a vote.

The New York Times - Sports

Rather than outright ask for it, I just hoped for it.

Vice

Drop hints to it, but do not outright ask for anything.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If you want results, it's time to network… And when you're networking properly, you aren't outright asking for a job; you're setting up informational calls and coffees in order to build an authentic connection.

Forbes

If you let this go on long enough, one morning you'll wake up and find yourself four months into a relationship you never outright asked for or explicitly rejected.

Huffington Post

It's not pretty, but sometimes outright asking for likes is a good short-term strategy for boosting the amount of Instagram love you get.

WikiHow

Police officers routinely doubt a woman's story outright, ask unsympathetic questions, or blame them for their own rape.

Vice

Let's use the same example: you want to get some money from your coworkers for your daughter's fundraiser, but you don't want to outright ask.

WikiHow

You could outright ask her, but a more subtle approach would probably work better.

WikiHow

In the face of this advice, she does not reject Gilmore outright, but asks for time to consider.

Wikipedia

They could accept the offer as is, reject it outright or — most likely — ask for more changes, despite Stern's vow not to negotiate further.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outright ask for" when you want to stress the directness and lack of hesitation in a request. It's particularly effective in situations where indirectness might be expected.

Common error

Avoid using "outright ask for" when a more subtle or tactful approach is needed. The phrase can sometimes imply a lack of consideration for the other party's feelings or perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outright ask for" functions as a verb phrase indicating a direct and unambiguous request. Ludwig AI indicates it's correct and usable. The examples show its use in describing situations where someone makes a bold or explicit request.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outright ask for" is a verb phrase used to describe a direct and unambiguous request. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It’s most often found in neutral contexts such as news and media, as well as Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, consider whether the situation warrants such directness, as it can sometimes be perceived as lacking tact. Related phrases include "directly request" and "explicitly request". This expression is rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

directly request

Emphasizes the directness of the request, removing the nuance of 'outright'.

explicitly request

Highlights the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the request.

bluntly request

Indicates a lack of tact or politeness in making the request.

demand outright

Conveys a sense of entitlement or insistence in the request.

forthrightly request

Suggests honesty and directness in the manner of asking.

unambiguously request

Focuses on the clarity and lack of potential for misinterpretation.

plainly ask for

Simple and straightforward way of requesting something.

directly solicit

More formal, implying a request for something like donations or support.

openly solicit

To make a public request or appeal.

unequivocally request

Request something in such a way that there can be no doubt.

FAQs

How to use "outright ask for" in a sentence?

You can use "outright ask for" to describe someone making a direct request without hesitation. For example: "I didn't expect him to "outright ask for" a raise during the meeting."

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

You can use alternatives like "directly request", "explicitly request", or "bluntly request" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "outright ask for" or "ask for outright"?

"Outright ask for" is the more common and natural phrasing. "Ask for outright" isn't incorrect but is less frequently used.

What's the difference between "outright ask for" and "indirectly ask for"?

"Outright ask for" means making a direct and clear request, while "indirectly ask for" implies hinting or suggesting something without directly stating it.