do for

British  

verb

1. (tr) to convict of a crime or offence

   they did him for manslaughter

2. (intr) to cause the ruin, death, or defeat of

   the last punch did for him

3. (intr) to do housework for

4. to thrive or succeed

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do for Idioms  

1. 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]

2. 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]

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Example Sentences

“We need to go higher than the floor — what can you do for the people of California? We all recognize that this is a beautiful and wonderful state, but it is very difficult to afford living here.”

From Los Angeles Times

Scientists developing a new underwear-able hope to do for gastroenterology what the Apple Watch did for cardiology.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the way to get good is to do succession planning, mentoring programs, all of those things you do for everybody, if you do them really well they’ll disproportionately help those that need it the most, namely the underrepresented.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said he had not needed to use one himself, "but seeing what it can do for people has been heart-warming".

From BBC

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Jackson's daughter, Sharon Jackson, said "That night haunts me and my family and will do for the rest of our lives."

From BBC