THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
A big ask
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
A request that will be difficult for someone to fulfil.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Finishing the whole report by tomorrow is a big ask for a team of two.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
Finishing the whole report by tomorrow is ________ for a team of two.
Show the answer
A big ask — A request that will be difficult for someone to fulfil.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “A big ask” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
A request that will be difficult for someone to fulfil.
Compare: Finishing the whole report by tomorrow is a big ask for a team of two.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it informally when acknowledging that a request needs considerable time, effort or resources. It can make your request sound more considerate.
More examples in context
- I know it is a big ask, but could you cover my shift this weekend?
- Finding a suitable flat in one afternoon was a big ask.
Usage note
Ask is a noun here, so include a: “a big ask.” It means difficult, not necessarily impossible, and does not remove the other person’s right to decline.
A short conversation
A: Could you help us move all the furniture on Saturday?
B: That is a big ask. How many people will be there?
A: Four others have offered, and we can hire a van.
One more practice question
Which request is a big ask?
A. Asking one person to organise a large conference in two days.
B. Asking someone to pass a pen already beside them.
Check your answer
A. Organising the conference would require substantial effort in very little time.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.