To be responsible for something and accept the consequences, or to speak on behalf of someone else.
Be responsible for something bad that happened, or promise that someone else is reliable.
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To be held responsible for something, especially a wrong action, and to face its consequences.
"One day he will have to answer for the way he treated his employees."
They will answer for their crimes.
— Commonly used phrase in legal and political discourse; attested in numerous parliamentary records and court proceedings.
To speak in support of someone or to vouch for their character or reliability.
"I can answer for her honesty — she has never let me down."
To be the cause of something, often something negative (used to express blame).
"Stress has a lot to answer for when it comes to poor health."
Has two quite different senses: (1) facing consequences for wrongdoing, and (2) vouching for someone. The first sense is more common and often used in legal or moral contexts. 'You'll answer for this' is a classic threat implying future accountability.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "answer for" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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