for the sake of

Idioms  

1. Also for one's sake . Out of consideration or regard for a person or thing; for someone's or something's advantage or good. For example, For Jill's sake we did not serve meat , or We have to stop fighting for the sake of family unity . [Early 1200s]

2. For the purpose or motive of, as in You like to quarrel only for the sake of an argument. [Early 1200s]

3. for God's sake . Also . An exclamation showing surprise, impatience, anger, or some other emotion, depending on the context. For example, For God's sake, I didn't expect to see you here , or Hurry up, for goodness sake , or For heaven's sake, how can you say such a mean thing? or For pity's sake, finish your dinner . The variants are euphemisms for God. [c. 1300] For a synonym, see for the love of , def. 2.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

for the sake of

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he will keep his ruling coalition together for the sake of his country's "democratic future", following resounding defeats for his party in two state elections.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

Even now, I struggle to do things for myself that aren’t for the sake of optimization.

From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2026

We are not demanding marquee signings simply for the sake of it.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

Michele McPhail attended the first Lilith Fair with her friends in 1997 — not for the sake of women’s lib, but to get over a guy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

He came to feel derelict about sleeping at night, for the sake of all the books he’d miss reading in those hours.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver