Learning English Conversations The English We Speak: A big ask
22 snips
Feb 10, 2026 They explain the phrase "a big ask" with lively everyday examples. Short dialogues show it used for swapping holiday weeks, tricky work requests, and small domestic favors. Practical scenes include asking for airport pickups, extra chores, and morning coffee. Clear definitions and varied contexts make the phrase easy to spot in real life.
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Holiday Swap Example
- Phil tells Feifei he booked flights for the wrong week and asks to swap holidays.
- He admits, "I know it's a big ask," and Feifei responds she cannot change her plans.
Meaning Of "A Big Ask"
- "A big ask" describes a request you know will be difficult for the person asked.
- Speakers explain it signals awareness that the request may be unreasonable or hard to fulfil.
Use The Phrase To Soften Requests
- Use "a big ask" at work to acknowledge a task's difficulty when requesting it.
- Pair it with a polite request, e.g., "I know it's a big ask but can you do it?"