do for
Britishverb
-
(tr) to convict of a crime or offence
they did him for manslaughter
-
(intr) to cause the ruin, death, or defeat of
the last punch did for him
-
(intr) to do housework for
-
to thrive or succeed
-
Bring about the death, defeat, or ruin of, as in He swore he'd do for him . This usage is often put in the passive voice (see done for ). [First half of 1700s]
-
Care or provide for, take care of, as in They decided to hire a housekeeper to do for Grandmother . This usage today is more common in Britain than in America. [Early 1500s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Anyway, after I finish up my coffee, I’ll typically ask my wife and daughter what they’d like to do for the day.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
Ninety minutes of screaming in tune, which is what I do for a living — I’m not up for that yet.
From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026
One of the best things you can do for your future self is explore these markets before you urgently need them.
From Salon • May 22, 2026
"We've got so much we want to do for the people of Northern Ireland and we're doing it within very difficult circumstances," he said.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
“But what can I do for the talent show?”
From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
