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

He does not know what he will do for childcare, he said with a sigh.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

But it turns out that’s exactly what change can do for retail shareholders.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 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

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

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

She’d send me right into therapy, like she’s been saying she wants me to do for three months now, since Khalid passed away.

From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender