doesn't hurt to ask. and never hurts to ask

(it) doesn't hurt to ask

There is usually no risk to asking a question, since a negative response would be essentially the same result as not asking at all. A: "Do you think he would give me a better deal on this car?" B: "Well, it doesn't hurt to ask."See also: ask, hurt

(it) never hurts to ask

There is usually no risk to asking a question, since a negative response would be effectively the same result as not asking at all. A: "Do you think he would give me a better deal on this car?" B: "Well, it never hurts to ask."See also: ask, hurt, never

(It) doesn't hurt to ask. and (It) never hurts to ask.

a phrase said when one asks a question, even when the answer is known to be no. John: Can I take some of these papers home with me? Jane: No, you can't. You know that. John: Well, it doesn't hurt to ask. Sue: Can I have two of these? Sally: Certainly not! Sue: Well, it never hurts to ask. Sally: Well, it just may!See also: and, ask, hurt, never