care of somebody

care of (someone)

To the mailing address of someone. This phrase is typically written on a package or letter in cases when the intended recipient is only at someone's address temporarily or occasionally. You can just send my Christmas card care of my aunt because I'll be staying at her place for the holidays. Oh, I forgot to put "care of" on the envelope—that's why the letter was returned to me. I hear Pauline is staying with her grandfather, Herbert, so when you write out the envelope for her birthday card, you need to include "care of Herbert Drake."

See also: care, of

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

ˈcare of somebody

(American English also in ˈcare of somebody) used when writing to somebody at another person’s address: Write to me care of my sister, because I’ll be touring Africa for six months.

This expression is usually written as ‘c/o’ on envelopes.

See also: care, of, somebody

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017