offer (something) for (something)
To propose that something or some amount of money be given in exchange for something else. They only offered me $200 for my car! I'm offering this brand new scooter for your bike—that's a great deal for you!
offer a helping hand
To make available one's assistance (to someone) to deal with or overcome some difficult task or situation. A noun or pronoun can be used between "offer" and "a" to specify whom one is helping. Shania is just one of the most generous people I've ever met, always ready to offer a helping hand whenever someone needs it. Our customers are always our highest priority, so whenever they're facing financial difficulties, we're more than happy to offer them a helping hand.
offer affordance(s)
To provide the means for something to happen or take place. Of course, man-made systems of organization in any field inherently offer affordances for error and exploitation, as the human element can neither be escaped nor denied. While many see the increasing amount of technology as a detriment to children's minds, one cannot underestimate how it also offers affordance to their increased capacity to learn and access information.
offer an olive branch (to someone)
To extend an offer or gesture of peace, reconciliation, truce, etc. (to someone), so as to end a disagreement or dispute. (Can also be formulated as "offer someone an olive branch.") The conservatives in Congress seem to be offering an olive branch to Democrats on the issue of raising the debt ceiling. If you find yourself in a spat with a friend, try to be the bigger person and be the one to offer an olive branch. I was still hurt by the way my parents had lied to me, but I decided to offer them an olive branch at Christmas.
offer for (one) to (do something)
To suggest that one do something that would likely be beneficial or advantageous to one. I offered for her to move in with me so she wouldn't have to pay rent while she waited for her house to be repaired, but she said she wasn't ready for that just yet. Instead of letting him go outright, they offered for him to take a lower-paying position instead.
offer the olive branch (to someone)
To extend an offer or gesture of peace, reconciliation, truce, etc. (to someone), so as to end a disagreement or dispute. (Can also be formulated as "offer someone the olive branch.") The conservatives in Congress seem to be offering the olive branch to Democrats on the issue of raising the debt ceiling. If you find yourself in a spat with a friend, try to be the bigger person and be the one to offer the olive branch. I was still hurt by the way my parents had lied to me, but I decided to offer them the olive branch at Christmas.
offer to
1. To suggest or propose doing something on behalf of someone or for someone's benefit. Jim offered to cook dinner because I wasn't feeling very well. She offered to speak to the boss to clear the issue up.
2. To suggest or propose giving to someone as a gift, favor, payment, compensation, etc. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "offer" and "to." He offered $500 to me so that I wouldn't speak about the incident to the police or the media. I'm offering half my assets to my partner in exchange for full control over the intellectual property.
offer up
1. To give or present something beneficial (to someone). A noun or pronoun can be used between "offer" and "up." The restaurant offers up some of the best steaks money can buy. We're offering up exclusive deals to our VIP members this weekend at shops across the country.
2. To sacrifice someone or something (to someone or something else). A noun or pronoun can be used between "offer" and "up." The council of elders offered the young maiden up to their dark god as part of the blood ritual. The fact that you're expected to offer money up alongside your prayers makes me a bit dubious of that church.
3. To provide some piece of information (to someone). A noun or pronoun can be used between "offer" and "up." He has offered up an explanation for what happened. I'm not here to offer up any excuses.
peace offering
An item or gesture extended to another person to express remorse or forgiveness. After they had their first big argument, Mark brought Monica a box of her favorite chocolate as a peace offering.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
offer something to someone (as something)
to propose giving something to someone as a gift, peace offering, payment, etc. They offered us a bunch of flowers as a peace offering. As an apology, I offered a gift to the hostess.
offer something up (to someone or something)
to give something to someone or something as a mark of devotion, thanks, etc. We offered our gratitude up to the ruler. We offered up our gratitude to the queen.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.