for the love of

Idioms  

1. For the sake of, in consideration of. For example, She signed up for all these volunteer jobs for the love of praise . [c. 1200]

2. . An exclamation of surprise, exasperation, or some similar feeling, as in For the love of Pete, give me the money! James Joyce used this idiom in Ulysses (1922): “For the love of Mike listen to him.” Pete and Mike are euphemisms for God. [Early 1900s] Also see for the sake of , def. 3.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

for the love of

Coaching at this level was about making sacrifices for the love of the game.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

Adds Weitz, “Jacob falls in love with both of the sisters for different reasons and at different times so it becomes a story about sister rivalry for the love of the same man.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 20, 2026

We’re talking about unstoppable levels of Big Dad Energy at every twist and turn, especially the kind of dad who is willing to do embarrassing things for the love of his daughter.

From Salon ● Nov. 4, 2025

This Halloween, for the love of America—please turn on the porch light, go door-to-door, open your own.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2025

Well, for the love of God, will you come in, Angela.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt