for the love of
Idioms-
For the sake of, in consideration of. For example, She signed up for all these volunteer jobs for the love of praise . [c. 1200]
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. An exclamation of surprise, exasperation, or some similar feeling, as in For the love of Pete, give me the money! James Joyce used this idiom in Ulysses (1922): “For the love of Mike listen to him.” Pete and Mike are euphemisms for God. [Early 1900s] Also see for the sake of , def. 3.
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.
He has had two knee operations and two foot operations since then, but kept coming back for the love of the sport.
From BBC • May 25, 2026
The players only play for the love of the game, graduate, then go on to active duty in the armed forces for a minimum of five years.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2026
We’re talking about unstoppable levels of Big Dad Energy at every twist and turn, especially the kind of dad who is willing to do embarrassing things for the love of his daughter.
From Salon • Nov. 4, 2025
This Halloween, for the love of America—please turn on the porch light, go door-to-door, open your own.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025
That’s because she truly believed the only reason to work hard at gymnastics was for the love of the sport.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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.
