for someone

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English

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Prepositional phrase

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for someone

  1. Used as an intensifier for actions causing harm or detriment to someone
    She knocked my papers out of my hands for me.
    • 1895, “Aut Scissors Aut Nullus”, in John Ames Mitchell, editor, Life, volume 26, page 387:
      "Then why did you handcuff him?" / "He was using vulgar language." / "But why did you put those things on his wrists?" / "I couldn't put them on his mouth." / "What did he do then?" / "He tried to run." / "And what did you do?" / "I broke his jaw for him." / "Why did you break his jaw?" / "Well, I couldn't break his leg, could I?"
    • 1996, Larry Watson, Justice[1], page 86:
      Broke my nose for me and knocked me on my ass.
    • 2007, Jill Whalen, Celtic Tales 8: The Daring[2], page 33:
      She reached out and was only able to get a little hold of his leg and pull it back. She broke his ankle for him.
  2. Used to indicate that an action normally beneficial may be performed in a way that causes harm or detriment to someone.
    I wiped his nose for him - on the sidewalk.

See also

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