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."
inseparable
do for
B2 informal inseparable transitive
To ruin, destroy, or be sufficient for something; to manage household tasks for someone. (British English)
In plain English
To ruin something, or to clean and cook for someone.
What does "do for" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 informal
To be sufficient or adequate for a purpose.
"This old coat will do for another winter, I think."
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."
inseparable
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "do for"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
career plans someone household cleaning
How to conjugate "do for"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "do for" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "do for" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "do for"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
clean for finish provide for ruin satisfy serve
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.