do for
Britishverb
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(tr) to convict of a crime or offence
they did him for manslaughter
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(intr) to cause the ruin, death, or defeat of
the last punch did for him
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(intr) to do housework for
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to thrive or succeed
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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]
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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.
"I feel great freedom and sincere trust from Ancelotti. He is sure I can do for the national team what I do for Real Madrid," he added.
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026
“One of the best things we can do for safety is have an abundance of population,” said Farrell.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026
Brown said: "It's not necessarily something that you do for money. You do the job because you enjoy it."
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
“Who wants to be 60 years old and your parents die and you get a bundle of money? What does that do for you?”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
My little brother, Charlie, once asked my mother what the teachers do for the rest of the day.
From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson
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.
