in (one's) behalf

1. As an agent or representative of one; in lieu of one. The boss isn't here at the moment, but I'd be happy to sign for the package in her behalf. Our lawyer will be telephoning the department tomorrow in our behalf, to ensure our application goes through as planned. I'm Professor Walton's research assistant, and I have to go retrieve some library books in his behalf.

2. In the interest or for the benefit of one. It's quite common, even natural, that children don't understand that everything their parents do is in their behalf. This decision is in your behalf, so don't act so ungrateful! You embezzled money, Dad, and I don't buy that you did it "in your kids' behalf."

in (someone's) behalf

1. As the representative of someone else; in lieu of someone. The boss isn't here at the moment, but I'd be happy to sign for the package in her behalf. Janet is really sick, so I'm going to lead the meeting in her behalf. No, my parents own the house, I'm just watching it in their behalf while they're away.

2. In the interest or for the benefit of someone else. Children don't understand until they're older that everything their parents do is in their behalf. You embezzled money, Dad, and I don't buy that you did it "in your family's behalf." She would do anything in the cat's behalf. She treats Fluffy better than she treats herself!

in behalf of (someone)

1. As the representative of someone else; in lieu of someone. The boss isn't here at the moment, but I'd be happy to sign for the package in behalf of her. Our lawyer will be calling tomorrow in behalf of the department, to ensure our application goes through as planned. A: "I'm here to retrieve some library books in behalf of Professor Walton." B: "Oh, you must be his research assistant."

2. In the interest or for the benefit of someone else. It's quite common, even natural, that children don't understand that everything their parents do is in behalf of them. She would do anything in behalf of that cat. She treats Fluffy better than she treats herself! You embezzled money, Dad, and I don't buy that you did it "in behalf of your family."

on (one's) behalf

For the benefit, interest, or support of someone; as an agent, representative, or in place of someone. Our lawyer will be telephoning the department tomorrow on our behalf to ensure our application goes through as planned. This decision is on your behalf, so don't act so ungrateful!

on (someone's) behalf

1. As the representative of someone else; in lieu of someone. The boss isn't here at the moment, but I'd be happy to sign for the package on her behalf.

2. In the interest or for the benefit of someone else. Children don't understand until they're older that everything their parents do is on their behalf.

on behalf of (someone)

1. As the representative of someone else; in lieu of someone. The boss isn't here at the moment, but I'd be happy to sign for the package on behalf of her.

2. In the interest or for the benefit of someone else. It's quite common, even natural, that children don't understand that everything their parents do is on behalf of them.

take up the cudgel(s) for (someone or something)

To defend, show strong support for, or argue on behalf of someone or something. The phrase can also be worded as "take up cudgels on behalf of (someone or something)." People from across the country are taking up cudgels for the young man being held by police. He's got plenty of money to hire a proper legal team. I don't think he needs the likes of us taking up the cudgel for him.

take up the cudgel(s) on behalf of (someone or something)

To defend, show strong support for, or argue on behalf of someone or something. The phrase can also be worded as "take up cudgels for (someone or something)." People from across the country are taking up cudgels on behalf of the young man being held by police. He's got plenty of money to hire a proper legal team. I don't think he needs the likes of us taking up the cudgel on his behalf.

in behalf of someone

and in someone's behalf; on behalf of someone; on someone's behalf; in someone's name

[doing something] as someone's agent; [doing something] in place of someone; for the benefit of someone. I'm writing in behalf of Mr. Smith, who has applied for a job with your company. I'm calling on behalf of my client, who wishes to complain about your actions. I'm calling in her behalf. I'm acting on your behalf.

in behalf of

Also, on behalf of.

1. For someone else, as someone's agent or representative. For example, In behalf of the board, I want to thank you for your help, or Joan was speaking on behalf of the entire staff. [c. 1300]

2. For someone's benefit or interest, as in He was collecting the dues in my behalf. [Late 1500s] Some authorities insist that in behalf of be used only to mean "for someone's benefit" and on behalf of only to mean "as someone's agent." In practice, however, the terms are so often used interchangeably that this distinction no longer has a basis.

take up the cudgels

take up the cudgel

If you take up the cudgels for someone or take up the cudgel for them, you speak or fight in support of them. The trade unions took up the cudgels for the 367 staff who were made redundant. We are hoping that the government will take up the cudgel on our behalf. Note: A cudgel was a short, thick stick that was used as a weapon in the past.

take up the cudgels

start to support someone or something strongly.

in behalf of somebody

in somebody’s behalf

(American English) in order to help somebody: We collected money in behalf of the homeless.

on behalf of somebody

on somebody’s behalf

1 as the representative of somebody or instead of them: On behalf of the department I would like to thank you all. ♢ Mr Knight cannot be here, so his wife will accept the prize on his behalf.
2 because of somebody; for somebody: Don’t worry on my behalf.
3 in order to help somebody: They campaigned on behalf of asylum seekers.

take up the cudgels

To join in a dispute, especially in defense of a participant.