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What does FOR mean in “We are done for.�
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There is an English expression do for, which means to kill, to execute, to ruin, to defeat etc. and this expression seems to always be used in passive voice: e.g.) We are done for.
I understand this is like an idiom, but why is the preposition for used?
Most prepositions have so many meanings to them, and I would like to know what for in this case means.
edit:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/for
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/for
In the definitions of the above links, which for do you all think the for in done for is the closest to?
prepositions american-english
asked 1 hour ago
Jessica.D
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up vote
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There is an English expression do for, which means to kill, to execute, to ruin, to defeat etc. and this expression seems to always be used in passive voice: e.g.) We are done for.
I understand this is like an idiom, but why is the preposition for used?
Most prepositions have so many meanings to them, and I would like to know what for in this case means.
edit:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/for
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/for
In the definitions of the above links, which for do you all think the for in done for is the closest to?
prepositions american-english
asked 1 hour ago
Jessica.D
162
New contributor
Jessica.D is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Just guessing, but it could be a shortened form of the phrase "for good." Thus, it would read, "We are done for good." Meaning, there's no coming back from it, and it's over. I don't think the verb phrase "do for" is a thing, though, as I've not heard or read, "He will do for him" with the meaning "to kill"
– Carly
1 hour ago
Yes, it is - macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/do-for
– Kate Bunting
1 hour ago
@KateBunting Who/what are you replying to? (Your link doesn't have the word "good".)
– Keep these mind
1 hour ago
@Keepthesemind I was replying to Carly, who did not think 'do for' was 'a thing'.
– Kate Bunting
1 hour ago
@KateBunting Ah. Understood.
– Keep these mind
1 hour ago
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
There is an English expression do for, which means to kill, to execute, to ruin, to defeat etc. and this expression seems to always be used in passive voice: e.g.) We are done for.
I understand this is like an idiom, but why is the preposition for used?
Most prepositions have so many meanings to them, and I would like to know what for in this case means.
edit:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/for
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/for
In the definitions of the above links, which for do you all think the for in done for is the closest to?
prepositions american-english
asked 1 hour ago
Jessica.D
162
New contributor
Jessica.D is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
There is an English expression do for, which means to kill, to execute, to ruin, to defeat etc. and this expression seems to always be used in passive voice: e.g.) We are done for.
I understand this is like an idiom, but why is the preposition for used?
Most prepositions have so many meanings to them, and I would like to know what for in this case means.
edit:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/for
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/for
In the definitions of the above links, which for do you all think the for in done for is the closest to?
prepositions american-english
prepositions american-english
asked 1 hour ago
Jessica.D
162
New contributor
Jessica.D is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 1 hour ago
Jessica.D
162
New contributor
Jessica.D is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 31 mins ago
asked 1 hour ago
Jessica.D
162
New contributor
Jessica.D is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 1 hour ago
Jessica.D
162
asked 1 hour ago
Jessica.D
162
162
New contributor
Jessica.D is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Jessica.D is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Jessica.D is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Just guessing, but it could be a shortened form of the phrase "for good." Thus, it would read, "We are done for good." Meaning, there's no coming back from it, and it's over. I don't think the verb phrase "do for" is a thing, though, as I've not heard or read, "He will do for him" with the meaning "to kill"
– Carly
1 hour ago
Yes, it is - macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/do-for
– Kate Bunting
1 hour ago
@KateBunting Who/what are you replying to? (Your link doesn't have the word "good".)
– Keep these mind
1 hour ago
@Keepthesemind I was replying to Carly, who did not think 'do for' was 'a thing'.
– Kate Bunting
1 hour ago
@KateBunting Ah. Understood.
– Keep these mind
1 hour ago
 |Â
show 5 more comments
Just guessing, but it could be a shortened form of the phrase "for good." Thus, it would read, "We are done for good." Meaning, there's no coming back from it, and it's over. I don't think the verb phrase "do for" is a thing, though, as I've not heard or read, "He will do for him" with the meaning "to kill"
– Carly
1 hour ago
Yes, it is - macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/do-for
– Kate Bunting
1 hour ago
@KateBunting Who/what are you replying to? (Your link doesn't have the word "good".)
– Keep these mind
1 hour ago
@Keepthesemind I was replying to Carly, who did not think 'do for' was 'a thing'.
– Kate Bunting
1 hour ago
@KateBunting Ah. Understood.
– Keep these mind
1 hour ago
Just guessing, but it could be a shortened form of the phrase "for good." Thus, it would read, "We are done for good." Meaning, there's no coming back from it, and it's over. I don't think the verb phrase "do for" is a thing, though, as I've not heard or read, "He will do for him" with the meaning "to kill"
– Carly
1 hour ago
Just guessing, but it could be a shortened form of the phrase "for good." Thus, it would read, "We are done for good." Meaning, there's no coming back from it, and it's over. I don't think the verb phrase "do for" is a thing, though, as I've not heard or read, "He will do for him" with the meaning "to kill"
– Carly
1 hour ago
Yes, it is - macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/do-for
– Kate Bunting
1 hour ago
Yes, it is - macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/do-for
– Kate Bunting
1 hour ago
@KateBunting Who/what are you replying to? (Your link doesn't have the word "good".)
– Keep these mind
1 hour ago
@KateBunting Who/what are you replying to? (Your link doesn't have the word "good".)
– Keep these mind
1 hour ago
@Keepthesemind I was replying to Carly, who did not think 'do for' was 'a thing'.
– Kate Bunting
1 hour ago
@Keepthesemind I was replying to Carly, who did not think 'do for' was 'a thing'.
– Kate Bunting
1 hour ago
@KateBunting Ah. Understood.
– Keep these mind
1 hour ago
@KateBunting Ah. Understood.
– Keep these mind
1 hour ago
 |Â
show 5 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
"For" at this point doesn't seem to have any meaning here, although it does add a little emphasis.
Specifically, it looks to me like "done for" could be actually a variation of the even older, now-obsolete verb "fordo".
The earliest example in the OED for "done for" is from a1500:
By thre skyllis may hit come to Why hit [sc. a stillborn child] is don for [Lansd. fordone] alsoo.
Sidrak & Bokkus (Laud)
"[Lansd. fordone]" means that in another manuscript they used "fordone" instead of "don[e] for". (Unfortunately I haven't been able to access either version.)
If you look at this free definition for "fordo" (for Middle English, but still applicable), you'll see it is essentially a synonym for "done for". "Fordo" is ancient (first attested in English in the year c900) and apparently derives from "Proto-Germanic *fardÃ…Âną, *fradÃ…Âną (“to ruin, destroyâ€Â)".
According to the OED, the "for" prefix in "fordo" means:
Implying destructive, painful, or prejudicial effect, as in fordeem, fordo
answered 57 mins ago
Laurel
27.6k651100
Very interesting. But, an example from contemporary speech would be nice. :)
– Lambie
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
The meaning of "done for" here cannot be found by combining meanings of "done" and "for" somehow.
done for
PHRASE
informal
In a situation so bad that it is impossible to get out.
‘if the guard sees us, we're done for’
Oxford Dictionaries
answered 32 mins ago
GEdgar
13k22043
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
"For" at this point doesn't seem to have any meaning here, although it does add a little emphasis.
Specifically, it looks to me like "done for" could be actually a variation of the even older, now-obsolete verb "fordo".
The earliest example in the OED for "done for" is from a1500:
By thre skyllis may hit come to Why hit [sc. a stillborn child] is don for [Lansd. fordone] alsoo.
Sidrak & Bokkus (Laud)
"[Lansd. fordone]" means that in another manuscript they used "fordone" instead of "don[e] for". (Unfortunately I haven't been able to access either version.)
If you look at this free definition for "fordo" (for Middle English, but still applicable), you'll see it is essentially a synonym for "done for". "Fordo" is ancient (first attested in English in the year c900) and apparently derives from "Proto-Germanic *fardÃ…Âną, *fradÃ…Âną (“to ruin, destroyâ€Â)".
According to the OED, the "for" prefix in "fordo" means:
Implying destructive, painful, or prejudicial effect, as in fordeem, fordo
answered 57 mins ago
Laurel
27.6k651100
Very interesting. But, an example from contemporary speech would be nice. :)
– Lambie
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
"For" at this point doesn't seem to have any meaning here, although it does add a little emphasis.
Specifically, it looks to me like "done for" could be actually a variation of the even older, now-obsolete verb "fordo".
The earliest example in the OED for "done for" is from a1500:
By thre skyllis may hit come to Why hit [sc. a stillborn child] is don for [Lansd. fordone] alsoo.
Sidrak & Bokkus (Laud)
"[Lansd. fordone]" means that in another manuscript they used "fordone" instead of "don[e] for". (Unfortunately I haven't been able to access either version.)
If you look at this free definition for "fordo" (for Middle English, but still applicable), you'll see it is essentially a synonym for "done for". "Fordo" is ancient (first attested in English in the year c900) and apparently derives from "Proto-Germanic *fardÃ…Âną, *fradÃ…Âną (“to ruin, destroyâ€Â)".
According to the OED, the "for" prefix in "fordo" means:
Implying destructive, painful, or prejudicial effect, as in fordeem, fordo
answered 57 mins ago
Laurel
27.6k651100
Very interesting. But, an example from contemporary speech would be nice. :)
– Lambie
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
"For" at this point doesn't seem to have any meaning here, although it does add a little emphasis.
Specifically, it looks to me like "done for" could be actually a variation of the even older, now-obsolete verb "fordo".
The earliest example in the OED for "done for" is from a1500:
By thre skyllis may hit come to Why hit [sc. a stillborn child] is don for [Lansd. fordone] alsoo.
Sidrak & Bokkus (Laud)
"[Lansd. fordone]" means that in another manuscript they used "fordone" instead of "don[e] for". (Unfortunately I haven't been able to access either version.)
If you look at this free definition for "fordo" (for Middle English, but still applicable), you'll see it is essentially a synonym for "done for". "Fordo" is ancient (first attested in English in the year c900) and apparently derives from "Proto-Germanic *fardÃ…Âną, *fradÃ…Âną (“to ruin, destroyâ€Â)".
According to the OED, the "for" prefix in "fordo" means:
Implying destructive, painful, or prejudicial effect, as in fordeem, fordo
answered 57 mins ago
Laurel
27.6k651100
"For" at this point doesn't seem to have any meaning here, although it does add a little emphasis.
Specifically, it looks to me like "done for" could be actually a variation of the even older, now-obsolete verb "fordo".
The earliest example in the OED for "done for" is from a1500:
By thre skyllis may hit come to Why hit [sc. a stillborn child] is don for [Lansd. fordone] alsoo.
Sidrak & Bokkus (Laud)
"[Lansd. fordone]" means that in another manuscript they used "fordone" instead of "don[e] for". (Unfortunately I haven't been able to access either version.)
If you look at this free definition for "fordo" (for Middle English, but still applicable), you'll see it is essentially a synonym for "done for". "Fordo" is ancient (first attested in English in the year c900) and apparently derives from "Proto-Germanic *fardÃ…Âną, *fradÃ…Âną (“to ruin, destroyâ€Â)".
According to the OED, the "for" prefix in "fordo" means:
Implying destructive, painful, or prejudicial effect, as in fordeem, fordo
answered 57 mins ago
Laurel
27.6k651100
answered 57 mins ago
Laurel
27.6k651100
answered 57 mins ago
Laurel
27.6k651100
answered 57 mins ago
Laurel
27.6k651100
27.6k651100
Very interesting. But, an example from contemporary speech would be nice. :)
– Lambie
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Very interesting. But, an example from contemporary speech would be nice. :)
– Lambie
42 mins ago
Very interesting. But, an example from contemporary speech would be nice. :)
– Lambie
42 mins ago
Very interesting. But, an example from contemporary speech would be nice. :)
– Lambie
42 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
The meaning of "done for" here cannot be found by combining meanings of "done" and "for" somehow.
done for
PHRASE
informal
In a situation so bad that it is impossible to get out.
‘if the guard sees us, we're done for’
Oxford Dictionaries
answered 32 mins ago
GEdgar
13k22043
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
The meaning of "done for" here cannot be found by combining meanings of "done" and "for" somehow.
done for
PHRASE
informal
In a situation so bad that it is impossible to get out.
‘if the guard sees us, we're done for’
Oxford Dictionaries
answered 32 mins ago
GEdgar
13k22043
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
The meaning of "done for" here cannot be found by combining meanings of "done" and "for" somehow.
done for
PHRASE
informal
In a situation so bad that it is impossible to get out.
‘if the guard sees us, we're done for’
Oxford Dictionaries
answered 32 mins ago
GEdgar
13k22043
The meaning of "done for" here cannot be found by combining meanings of "done" and "for" somehow.
done for
PHRASE
informal
In a situation so bad that it is impossible to get out.
‘if the guard sees us, we're done for’
Oxford Dictionaries
answered 32 mins ago
GEdgar
13k22043
answered 32 mins ago
GEdgar
13k22043
answered 32 mins ago
GEdgar
13k22043
answered 32 mins ago
GEdgar
13k22043
13k22043
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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Just guessing, but it could be a shortened form of the phrase "for good." Thus, it would read, "We are done for good." Meaning, there's no coming back from it, and it's over. I don't think the verb phrase "do for" is a thing, though, as I've not heard or read, "He will do for him" with the meaning "to kill"
– Carly
1 hour ago
Yes, it is - macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/do-for
– Kate Bunting
1 hour ago
@KateBunting Who/what are you replying to? (Your link doesn't have the word "good".)
– Keep these mind
1 hour ago
@Keepthesemind I was replying to Carly, who did not think 'do for' was 'a thing'.
– Kate Bunting
1 hour ago
@KateBunting Ah. Understood.
– Keep these mind
1 hour ago