Phrasal verb
answer for
Meanings
to be responsible for something and have to explain it or face consequences
to guarantee or take responsibility for another person’s actions or behavior
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Definition
“Answer for” means to be responsible for something and explain or face the consequences.
“Answer for” is used when someone must take responsibility for an action, mistake, or result. It often implies that the person will need to explain what happened to someone in authority. It can also mean that someone guarantees another person’s behavior.
Examples
- I will have to answer for the mistake in tomorrow’s meeting.
- You’ll answer for the mess you left in the kitchen.
- He had to answer for the delay when the client called.
- She refused to answer for her coworker’s rude comments.
- They will answer for the damage after the inspection.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse “answer for” (be responsible) with “answer to” (report to or reply to someone).
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.