have something/anything to say for (oneself)

have something/anything to say for (oneself)

1. To be able to explain or defend one's actions. I told you not to throw the ball in the house, and now, the vase is broken. Do you have anything to say for yourself? These accusations are pretty serious, Charles. Don't you have something to say for yourself? Do you have something yourself? No, because you know you're in the wrong!

2. To be able to converse with others. That guy is a real dullard—he doesn't have anything to say for himself. If you have didn't have anything to say for yourself, then why did you get up there and bore us all? I almost dozed off at dinner because Don never has anything to say for himself!

See also: anything, for, have, say, something, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

have something (or nothing) to say for yourself

contribute (or fail to contribute) to a conversation or discussion.

See also: for, have, say, something, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

have something, nothing, etc. to ˈsay for yourself

1 be able/unable to explain your actions: I’ve asked him what he was doing here in the middle of the night, but he’s got nothing to say for himself.
2 be able/unable to hold a conversation or express your opinions: She seems very nice but she doesn’t have much to say for herself.

See also: for, have, say, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017