behalf

[bih-haf, -hahf]

behalf

/ bɪˈhɑːf /

noun

1. interest, part, benefit, or respect (only in the phrases on ( someone's ) behalf , on or US and Canadian in behalf of , in this ( or that ) behalf )

Usage

On behalf of is sometimes wrongly used where on the part of is intended. The distinction is that on behalf of someone means `for someone's benefit' or `representing someone', while on the part of someone can be roughly paraphrased as `by someone'. So, the following example is incorrect: another act of apparent negligence, this time not on behalf of the company itself, but on behalf of its banker , when what was meant was there was negligence by the company's banker

Word History and Origins

Origin of behalf¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; Middle English bihalve, earlier as adverb and preposition with the sense “near(by),” originally, as prepositional phrase bi halve “on one side”; be-, by, half

Word History and Origins

Origin of behalf¹

Old English be halfe from be by + halfe side; compare Old Norse af halfu

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in / on behalf of, as a representative of or a proxy for.

   On behalf of my colleagues, I address you tonight.

2. in / on someone's behalf, in the interest or aid of (someone).

   He interceded in my behalf.

see in behalf of.

Example Sentences

Her letting agent said an oversight meant it never applied for the licence on her behalf but Reeves said she took full responsibility and apologised for the "inadvertent mistake".

Read more on BBC

The plan was presented by the Washington on behalf of the Quad -- which in addition to the US includes Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Read more on Barron's

Those investors — managers who make decisions on behalf of clients, such as portfolio managers — are a “source of potential upside,” and equities should also continue to benefit from the “cross-asset inflows boom,” he said.

Read more on MarketWatch

Those investors — managers who make decisions on behalf of clients, such as portfolio managers — are a “source of potential upside,” and equities should also continue to benefit from the “cross-asset inflows boom,” he said.

Read more on MarketWatch

Crosswords, for him, are arguments on behalf of things: of what qualifies as “common knowledge,” of what role puzzles should play in informing a citizenry, of how wordplay and slang snake into the mainstream.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• favor 
• side