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

What research did you do for the role, Elle?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

"I wasn't able to get into Teams so it means I wasn't able to access the work I needed to do for my GCSEs," she told BBC News NI.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Unless perhaps it’s the most courteous thing you can do for fellow players?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

It began, as so many things do for me these days, on Letterboxd.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

“The dodo babies are tired; that is all the tricks they can do for now,” she announced.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood