answer for
Britishverb
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to be liable or responsible for (a person's actions, behaviour, etc)
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to vouch for or speak on behalf of (a person)
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to suffer or atone for (one's wrongdoing)
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Take responsibility for, take charge of, as in The new alarm system has to answer for the security of the grounds . [Late 1200s]
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Take the blame for, as in The kids who were caught shoplifting have a lot to answer for . [c. 1200]
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To vouch for or sponsor someone, as in I'll answer for John as a reliable employee . [Early 1700s]
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.
The new franchise across the pond, “Saturday Night Live UK,” initially looked as though it might be an answer for fatigued viewers looking for a refresh, but even that show has stumbled.
From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026
Redick then gave a simple answer for how the Lakers have to deal with the Rockets in the best-of-seven series.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026
The answer for many is more solar and wind power plus electric vehicles—even if that means more dependence on a single country.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
Kelly: I was trying to second guess your answer for this, but I think it's impossible.
From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026
How she asked him questions about everything and didn’t answer for him.
From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker
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.
