do for (someone or something)

do for (someone or something)

1. To cause someone's or something's collapse or ruin. After he betrayed me, I vowed to do for him and steal all of his major clients.

2. To do something for someone else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "do" and "for." Hey Jim! What can I do for you today? It was really nice of you to do that for your sister.

3. To be acceptable or sufficient. I know our vacation is shorter than we'd hoped, but I think five days off will do for us—it's better than nothing!

4. To care for someone or something. Primarily heard in UK. My husband has decided to stay home and do for our baby while I work.

5. To treat or suit one in a certain manner. The train does for me just fine because I can't afford a car at the moment.

See also: for

done for

1. In jeopardy; doomed. If the boss finds out that I was the one who messed up that report, I'm done for! Now that mom knows about it, our scheme is done for.

2. About to break or stop working, as of a machine. The blender stopped working again this morning—I really think it's done for this time.

See also: done, for

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

do for someone

 

1. . to provide for someone; to take care of or serve someone. Do you expect me to stay home and do for you for the rest of my life? I can't do for all of them!

2. to suffice for someone; to be sufficient for someone. Will this amount ofsweet potatoes do for you? Yes, this will do for me fine.

3. See also done for.

See also: for

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

do for

1. Bring about the death, defeat, or ruin of, as in He swore he'd do for him. This usage is often put in the passive voice (see done for). [First half of 1700s]

2. Care or provide for, take care of, as in They decided to hire a housekeeper to do for Grandmother. This usage today is more common in Britain than in America. [Early 1500s]

See also: for

done for

1. Exhausted, worn out, as in This old computer is just about done for. [Colloquial; c. 1800] Also see done in.

2. Doomed to death or destruction, as in Before he went to the hospital it seemed as if he was done for. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

See also: done, for

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

done for

in a situation so bad that it is impossible to get out of it. informal

1993 Catholic Herald Don't you realise that without that contract we're done for?

See also: done, for

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

done for

mod. lost; dead; doomed. I’m sorry, this whole scheme is done for.

See also: done, for

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

done for

Informal

Doomed to death or destruction.

See also: done, for

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.