1
general::
1. Take responsibility for, take charge of, as in The new alarm system has to answer for the security of the grounds. [Late 1200s] 2. Take the blame for, as in The kids who were caught shoplifting have a lot to answer for. [c. 1200] 3. To vouch for or sponsor someone, as in I'll answer for John as a reliable employee. [Early 1700s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): answer for someone or something
Fig. to explain or justify the actions of someone or some act; to take responsibility or blame for someone or something. • You will have to answer for your children’s bad behavior. • I will answer only for my own misdeeds., Phrase(s): answer for someone
1. Lit. to speak for another person. • I can’t answer for Chuck, but I do have my own opinion. • I will answer for my friend in his absence. 2. Fig. to vouch for someone; to tell of the goodness of someone’s character. • Mr. Jones, who had known the girl all her life, answered for her. He knew she was innocent. • I will answer for Ted. He could not hurt a flea.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs