whistle for

British  

verb

1. informal  (intr, preposition) to seek or expect in vain

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whistle for Idioms  

1. Ask for or expect without any prospect of success, as in If you want a cash refund, you can just whistle for it. [Mid-1700s]

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Example Sentences

Travelling Magpies fans were due to be held back inside the stadium after the final whistle for a period of up to one hour for their own safety.

From BBC

Did they whet your whistle for the book?

From Los Angeles Times

Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure and Liverpool's Curtis Jones were sent off after the final whistle for second yellow cards.

From BBC

The public needs to be reminded of what DEI actually is, rather than allowing Republicans to continue to use it as a dog whistle for unchecked racism and bias.

From Slate

He often distinguishes himself as someone who sticks up for neighborhood identity — what some consider a dog whistle for “NIMBYism,” a colloquial term for opposition to large multifamily housing projects or other unwelcome development.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appeal
• challenge
• claim
• expect
• force
• order
• press
• question
• request
• require
• stipulate
• urge