Slangora

do for

(transitive, British) To prosecute someone for a criminal offence.

ˈdu ˈfɔɹSilenthistoricalCurrent159 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
3 definitions
Community
Seen in the wild
3 citations · last seen May 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

(transitive, British) To prosecute someone for a criminal offence.

Cluster: criminal
Was this helpful?

Comments

UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(UK, dated, intransitive) To work as a domestic servant for.

For parents

Do for means: To work as a domestic servant for.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

do for means: To work as a domestic servant for.. Register: dated, informal. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

Was this helpful?

Comments

UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK

(transitive, British) To doom; to bring about the demise of someone; to injure or harm someone.

For parents

Do for means: To doom; to bring about the demise of someone; to injure or harm someone.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

do for means: To doom; to bring about the demise of someone; to injure or harm someone.. Register: neutral, standard English. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

Heard in the wild
  • “I'm starting to see it in sales. Delta is offering extended bonuses which they used to do for like~3-4 weeks, they are now doing it through November.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Aaabsolutely. And now I know exactly what I want to do for my birthday.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “guys what should i do for my 18th my house is too small for a house party w all my friends, also i could either invite my main group (8 ppl) or all my closest friends (20 ppl)”

    — r/teenagers· May 2026
  • “Things I do for sweetie. Anyway,”

  • “Things I do for sweetie. Anyway,”

Was this helpful?

Comments

Used in

UK

Have a better definition?

Add your own interpretation of "do for".

Add definition

🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

See all British & Irish slang slang on Slangora.

Tags

Other words near "do for" (D)

Browse all slang words starting with D.

Related terms

People also read

Semantically related