speak for

speak for

oneself to speak on one's own behalf. I can speak for myself. I don't need you to speak for me. speak for yourself. What you say does not represent my thinking.

See also: speak

speak for someone or something 

1. to testify or argue for someone or something. I would be happy to speak for you in court. Just tell me when. My attorney will speak for our position.

2. to lay claim to someone or something. Fred is spoken for. I want to speak for the red one.

See also: speak

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speak for somebody/something

to express the opinions or wishes of someone I can't speak for my boss on something that is so personal. Tokarczyk believed that her poetry could speak for the nation.

See also: speak

speak for yourself

to say what you really believe or think is true She should tell us what happened – I mean, she's an adult, she can speak for herself.

Usage notes: sometimes used to say you do not agree with what someone else has said: “Without makeup a woman cannot be pretty.” “Speak for yourself. I think she's beautiful with no makeup at all.”

See also: speak