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do for

B2 informal inseparable transitive
In simple words

To ruin something, or to clean and cook for someone.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To ruin, destroy, or be the end of someone's plans, career, or life. (British informal)

"That one scandal did for his political career completely."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 informal

To be sufficient or adequate for a purpose.

"This old coat will do for another winter, I think."

Grammar: inseparable
3 C1 idiomatic informal

To perform domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning for someone. (British, somewhat dated)

"Mrs. Jennings used to do for the family at the big house every Thursday."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Primarily British English. Has multiple distinct senses: (1) to be enough for or serve a purpose, (2) to ruin or finish someone, (3) to do domestic work for someone. Learners should be careful about context. The 'ruin' sense is often used in negative outcomes.

Commonly used with

career plans someone household cleaning

Forms

Base
do for
I/you/we/they
3rd person
does for
he/she/it
Past simple
did for
yesterday
Past participle
done for
have + pp
-ing form
doing for
continuous

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Synonyms

ruin finish serve provide for clean for satisfy

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