answer for (someone)

1 of 2

phrase (1)

: to say what someone else thinks : to give the opinion of (someone else)

I like the proposal myself, but I can't answer for my boss.

answer for (something)

2 of 2

phrase (2)

1

: to take responsibility for (something)

I can't answer for their safety.

The company will have to answer for any damage done by its employees.

2

: to be punished for (something)

He must answer for his crimes.

3

US : to be used or serve as (something)

The old bucket answered for a sink.

Examples of answer for (someone) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

The Navy does not yet have an answer for what will happen to cars and furniture left behind in the rush to leave. — Steve Walsh, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026

From retailers managing inventory to manufacturers tracking shipments, AI has become the go-to answer for nearly every operational challenge. — Matt Emma, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

Phrase

Booker had 15 first-half points, scoring mainly off midrange pull-ups but also using catch-and-shoot jumpers and getting to the line against the Wolverines, who had no answer for the first Team All-SEC honoree. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026

But maybe the answer for the future isn’t one system, but multiple solutions. — Victoria Le, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026