1
general::
Phrase(s): 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 of sweet potatoes do for you? • Yes, this will do for me fine. 3. See also done for. ., Phrase(s): do for something
to serve as something; to substitute as something. • I think that this stone will do nicely for a doorstop. • This stick will just not do for a stirring spoon., Phrase(s): do somehow for someone
to benefit or harm someone in some degree. • This jacket does fine for me. I don’t need a different one. • This meal does okay for me. I’m satisfied.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
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]
American Heritage Idioms