in behalf of

Idioms  

1. Also, on behalf of.

2. For someone else, as someone's agent or representative. For example, In behalf of the board, I want to thank you for your help , or Joan was speaking on behalf of the entire staff . [c. 1300]

3. For someone's benefit or interest, as in He was collecting the dues in my behalf . [Late 1500s] Some authorities insist that in behalf of be used only to mean “for someone's benefit” and on behalf of only to mean “as someone's agent.” In practice, however, the terms are so often used interchangeably that this distinction no longer has a basis.

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Example Sentences

Under questioning from prosecutors Thursday morning, Weisselberg appeared to provide them ammunition for the argument that he was acting in behalf of the company.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 17, 2022

“And I gladly join in ascribing praise to that great daily for courageous fight upon this subject in behalf of the common people.”

From Fox News • Oct. 16, 2020

“The sons of Liberty withstood the Lords in Parliament in behalf of true Liberty,” the Regulators complained in 1766, so “let not Officers under them carry on unjust Oppression in our own Province.”

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

Justices found that McDonnell’s conduct - steering the state machinery in behalf of favored interests - did not amount to “official acts.”

From Washington Times • Aug. 16, 2017

Despising as they did all efforts in behalf of a Jewish state, they despised as well all discussions that had to do with even its possible existence.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok