candy  +  10207 Wed, 08 Oct 03 10:56 AM Does the phrase "ask for the moon" mean to ask or wish for something which could be impossible to get? If so, can I use "cry" instead of "ask" in the phrase? I think I came across an expression "cry for the moon" before. If there are any other verbs that I can use instead of "ask" without changing the meaning of this phrase, could you please teach me? Thanks candy Joined on Mon, Sep 8 2003 Full Member 396 Verbs

	Mike in Japan  +  10209 Wed, 08 Oct 03 11:12 AM Does the phrase "ask for the moon" mean to ask or wish for something which could be impossible to get? ... Yes it does Candy, ... could or MAY be impossible. Yes, 'cry for the moon' would have a very similar meaning, but whilst 'cry' can mean to ask or demand, it can also mean to 'shed tears', so that usage may be a lttle ambiguous. Cheers Mike in Japan Joined on Tue, Aug 19 2003 Senior Member 4,371 I do like to be beside the seaside

	moijelesuis  +  10239 Wed, 08 Oct 03 05:57 PM ask for the moon, yes ... though i have honestly never heard of cry for the moon. there is also the expression "shoot for the moon", which means to attempt something extremely difficult OR to spare no expense moijelesuis Joined on Sat, Aug 16 2003 usa/canada Full Member 116

	Raul  +  10241 Wed, 08 Oct 03 06:02 PM The Collins English Dictionary defines: cry for the moon = to desire the unattainable Under the "ask" and "ask for" entries, there is no reference about "ask for the moon". Of course, this doesn't mean that we can't use this expression. Hope this helps! Raul Joined on Mon, Sep 1 2003 Lima - Peru Full Member 221 "I touch the future: I teach"

	candy  +  10280 Thu, 09 Oct 03 04:33 AM Thank you so much for answering my question All of you have helped me a lot with this. Thanks! Now I'd like to ask one more thing. Can I use "wish" for this phrase? wish for the moon .....Have I made a strange expression? candy

	Mike in Japan  +  10286 Thu, 09 Oct 03 05:14 AM Not at all Candy, but where will you put it? There is no harm in making strange or unusual expressions as long as the context is such that the audience doesn't become TOO confused. Mike in Japan

	candy  +  10293 Thu, 09 Oct 03 08:42 AM It seems I often make an unusual expressions accidentally Though I 'm not trying to do that....(but sometimes I enjoy it.) Hmmmmm...!! I think I need to study more to reduce my mistakes in my English. Practice makes perfect!? candy

	Mike in Japan  +  10297 Thu, 09 Oct 03 09:15 AM It's nice to hear that you enjoy English! Have fun! Mike in Japan