ask for the bill

Meaning

To request the written statement of charges from a waiter or waitress at the end of a meal in a restaurant. This is the standard, polite way to signal that you are ready to pay and leave.

Examples

• Excuse me, could we ask for the bill, please?

  Excuse me, could we ask for the bill, please?

• Once we finished our desserts, my father signaled the waiter to ask for the bill.

  Once we finished our desserts, my father signaled the waiter to ask for the bill.

• I always feel awkward trying to catch the server's eye just to ask for the bill.

  I always feel awkward trying to catch the server's eye just to ask for the bill.

• We were in a hurry, so we had to ask for the bill as soon as the main course arrived.

  We were in a hurry, so we had to ask for the bill as soon as the main course arrived.

• Let's ask for the bill so we don't miss our train.

  Let's ask for the bill so we don't miss our train.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Excuse me, can I ask the bill?

  ✓ Excuse me, can I ask for the bill?

  You must use the preposition 'for' after 'ask' when requesting an object or service from someone.

• ✗ We asked for the ticket after eating.

  ✓ We asked for the bill after eating.

  'Ticket' is a literal translation from languages like Spanish (el ticket) or French (le ticket). In English restaurants, it is always 'the bill' or 'the check'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We are done eating, so let's ___.

  💡 Request the paper showing how much we need to pay.

  Show answer

  ask for the bill

• I had to ___ twice because the restaurant was so busy.

  💡 Tell the waiter you want to pay.

  Show answer

  ask for the bill