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English
Verb
answer for (third-person singular simple present answers for, present participle answering for, simple past and past participle answered for)
- (transitive, intransitive) To be held responsible for; to take the blame for something.
The mayor will be answering for his crimes for many years.
1984, Morrissey, Johnny Marr (lyrics and music), “Suffer Little Children”, in The Smiths, performed by The Smiths:Oh John, you'll never be a man / And you'll never see your home again / Oh Manchester, so much to answer for
2007 September, Wilson D Miscamble, “The Faculty 'Problem'”, in America, volume 197, number 6, page 26:Duffy dared to think that Queen Elizabeth I has a few things for which to answer
2021 April 26, Gaby Hinsliff, “Vaccine hoarding is all the more disturbing as a Covid disaster unfolds in India”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:It’s true Modi has much to answer for. But still there is something disturbing about the fact that India is on track for up to half a million cases a day on some projections, while Britons young enough to have practically zero chance of dying from Covid get vaccinated.
- (transitive) To guarantee.
I will answer for his debt, if he can't pay on the day.
- (transitive) To vouch for (someone); to attest to the character of (someone).
She's known me for years, and she's always answered for me!
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see answer, for.
I don't know the answer to that, so I'm going to let my lawyer answer for me.
Usage notes
- The verb and particle are usually not separated.
Translations
to be held responsible for
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