answer for (something)

idiom

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.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

During the jury press conference on Tuesday, Larson took issue with being asked to answer for Depp's latest project Jeanne Du Barry serving as the opener to the prestigious film festival one year after his controversial trial with ex-wife Amber Heard. —Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 16 May 2023

The problem is nobody, not even the bots, has a good answer for that yet. —Victoria Song, The Verge, 14 May 2023

In turn, Phoenix must find an answer for Jokic, who is averaging 31.5 points, 17.5 rebounds and five assists so far in this series. —Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 4 May 2023

The Harkonnens have an answer for that question, and his name is Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler). —Christian Holub, EW.com, 3 May 2023

Such sources could be hauled before their governments and made to answer for their actions. —Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2023

All-Purpose Fragrance-Free, Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent is the perfect answer for those looking for a laundry detergent to help keep their sensitive skin free from irritation. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023

But Texas couldn't finish, unable to find an answer for the deadeye shooting of Jordan Miller and missing 14 of its last 19 shots from the field while getting outscored 51-36 in the second half. —Eric Olson, Chron, 26 Mar. 2023

Avoiding painful data migration and forklift upgradesPure’s Evergreen services are the company’s answer for protection for storage investments, avoiding functionality loss over time and expensive data and hardware migrations. —Patrick Moorhead, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023

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