do for
The phrase 'do for' is a versatile phrasal verb used in various contexts, especially in British English.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
C1Legal
(British, informal)To convict someone of a crime.
Example
- They did him for theft last year.
B2General
(informal)To cause serious harm, ruin, or death.
Example
- The scandal did for his career.
B2Household
(dated, British)To perform domestic chores for someone.
Example
- She used to do for the old lady next door.
B2Caregiving
(general)To take care of someone's needs.
Example
- He did for his elderly parents until they passed away.
B2Idiomatic
(informal)To be in a hopeless or doomed situation.
Example
- When the engine failed, we knew we were done for.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "do for":
make fordone forwhat forfor todo inall foroh forfor itbut fordo onedo withdo goodtake forfor onefor youlive formake dofor allfeel for