Phrasal verb
do for
Meanings
To ruin, destroy, or cause the failure of someone or something.
To defeat or severely harm someone so that they cannot continue.
Definition
To do for someone or something means to cause serious harm, failure, or ruin.
"Do for" is used to say that a person or thing is badly damaged, defeated, or finished. It often implies that recovery is unlikely or impossible. In British English, it can also mean to kill someone, but it is more commonly used for ruining plans or causing someone’s downfall.
Examples
- That leak will do for the ceiling if we don’t fix it soon.
- I thought I could keep working, but that long flight really did for me.
- Their careless comment did for his chances of getting the promotion.
- The last-minute cancellation did for our weekend plans.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "do for" with "do for" meaning "do tasks for someone" (which is usually expressed as "do something for 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.