argue for (someone or something)
1. To state reasons in support of someone or something. My mother has spent her life arguing for women's rights. She's my daughter—I will always argue for her. I've always thought very highly of him and will certainly argue for his appointment to the Supreme Court.
2. To serve as evidence in support of something. Hinton's novel argues for an understanding of youth as a complex, traumatic time. Do you really think his history of shady deals argues for going into business with him? Impressive results this quarter are the only thing that will argue for our project's continued funding.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
argue for someone or something
to make a case in favor of someone or something; to speak on behalf of someone or something in an argument. Are you prepared to argue strongly for this proposal? We will argue for our candidate in the debate.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
argue for
v.1. To put forth reasons supporting something; make a case for something: The students argued for a new gymnasium, but the administration did not want to spend the money needed to build it.
2. To act as evidence or support for something: These new facts argue for a different analysis. The fact that your route to work is so slow argues for giving my suggestion a try.
3. To speak on behalf of someone in an argument: Lawyers are supposed to argue for their clients.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.