sake (redirected from for the sake)

arguing for the sake of arguing and arguing for the sake of argument

arguing simply to be difficult or contrary. You are just arguing for the sake ofarguing. You don't even know what the issue is. He is annoying, because he is always arguing for the sake of argument.

See also: argue

for someone (or something's) sake and for the sake of someone or something

for the purpose or benefit of someone or something; to satisfy the demands of someone or something. I made a meatless dinner for John's sake; he's a vegetarian. The teacher repeated the assignment for the sake of the slower students.

for one's (own) sake

for one's good or benefit; in honor of someone. I have to earn a living for my family's sake. I did it for my mother's sake.

For Pete's sake! and For pity's sake!; For the love of Mike!; For goodness sake!; For gosh sake!; For heaven('s) sake!

a mild exclamation of surprise or shock. For Pete's sake! How've ya been? For pity's sake! Ask the man in out of the cold!

Land(s) sakes (alive)! and Sakes alive!

Rur. My goodness! (A mild oath.) Lands sakes! I sure am glad to get home! Sakes alive! Can't you even set the table without making a fuss?

See also: land

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for old times' sake

if you do something for old times' sake, you do it in order to remember a happy time in the past Do you want to have lunch together sometime, just for old times' sake?

See also: old

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for something's own sake

because something is worth doing Arnold is dedicated to writing for its own sake, and doesn't worry about whether he can sell what he writes.

for Christ's sake (rude) also for Christ sakes

I am surprised or annoyed by this for God's sake For Christ's sake, Julie, what are you doing here? This dress makes me look like a little old lady, for Christ's sake. It's two in the morning, for Christ sakes! Why are you calling me now?

Usage notes: used for emphasis

Related vocabulary: for crying out loud

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of for Christ's sake ( in the name of or for Christ)

for God's sake (rude) also for God's sakes

I am surprised or annoyed by this for Christ's sake For God's sake, Eleanor, what happened to your hair? It's time we started worrying about educating our children, for God's sake. At three-thirty in the morning, for God's sake, my dog decided to have her puppies.

Usage notes: used for emphasis

Related vocabulary: for crying out loud

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of for God's sake (in the name of or for God)

for goodness' sake (spoken) also for goodness sakes

I am surprised or annoyed by this for Pete's sake For goodness' sake, Harry, what are you doing at this time of night? Well, for goodness sakes, why didn't you tell me that earlier so I could have changed my plans?

Usage notes: used for emphasis and often used instead of the more offensive idioms for God's sake and for Christ's sake

Related vocabulary: for crying out loud

for old times' sake

as a way of remembering something pleasant from the past I thought we'd take the train, just for old times' sake.

See also: old

for Pete's sake (spoken)

I am annoyed or surprised by this for goodness' sake She has a huge salary and gets a bonus, too - how much money does she need, for Pete's sake?

Usage notes: used for emphasis and often used instead of the more offensive idioms for God's sake and for Christ's sake

Related vocabulary: for crying out loud

for the sake of argument

in order to consider the possibility Assume, for the sake of argument, that what she says is true.

See also: argument