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.
Ninety minutes of screaming in tune, which is what I do for a living — I’m not up for that yet.
From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026
One of the best things you can do for your future self is explore these markets before you urgently need them.
From Salon • May 22, 2026
The findings suggest that what companies expect their youngest workers can do for them is evolving as fast as AI itself.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
Actor DiCaprio added: "Thank you truly for everything you've done and continue to do, for our very precious planet and all its inhabitants."
From BBC • May 8, 2026
“OK, one: What did you do for your last birthday?”
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
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.
