asked for it

Brought it on

Asked for it means someone's misfortune was a predictable consequence of their own choices or behavior: He got fired? He asked for it, showing up late every day.

The phrase often carries a blaming tone and becomes contentious when applied to victims of crimes or abuse, where it suggests the victim provoked what happened to them: She was asking for it dressed like that.

This victim-blaming usage is widely criticized.

consequences

karma

Spiritual cause and effect

backlashStrong negative reaction
falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
repercussionsIndirect results of actions

blowback · payback · comeuppance · recoil · boomerang · aftermath · reckoning · result · outcome · price

blame

accountability

Obligation for one's actions

responsibilityState of being answerable
culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
faultImperfection or blame

liable · answerable · blameworthy · guilty · self-caused

deserved

justified

Shown to be right

warrantedProperly justified or sanctioned
meritedRightfully earned or warranted
earnedGained by effort

fitting · appropriate · due · rightful · fair · proper · expected · befitting · suitable · reasonable

retribution

punishment

Penalty for an offense

vengeanceRetaliation for injury
revengePunishing a wrongdoer
retaliationPunitive response to injury

reprisal · payback · justice · penalty · nemesis · wrath · avenging · judgment · requital · poetic justice

Opposites

deserving/responsibility

asked for itblameless

Free of wrongdoing

undeserved · innocent · faultless · guiltless · innocent bystander

victim blame vs. innocence

asked for itbeyond reproach

Immune to criticism

above suspicion · scapegoated

deservingness

asked for itundeserved

Not rightfully owed

unmerited · unwarranted · unjustified · victimized · wronged

Family

ask, asked, asking, asks, asker

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG-13