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3. do for

do for

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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.

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]