do (someone) a favor
idiom
variants
or do a favor for (someone)
: to do a kind and helpful act for (someone)
You can do your uncle a favor by giving him a ride.
Do me a favor, please, and help me move this.
—the phrase Do me a favor is sometimes used in an ironic way when a person wants someone to do something that he or she should do anywayDo me a favor and get home on time for once.
Examples of do (someone) a favor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From there, Syd goes to the home of her cousin Chantel (Danielle Deadwyler), a professional hairstylist happy to do a favor for family away from the salon.
—
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025
The first person to do a favor goes out on a limb but expects the recipient to return the favor at some point.
—Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Instead, the tone of these posts falls somewhere between a text to see if anyone happens to be around and offering to do a favor for a friend.
—Curbed, 19 Dec. 2023
As complex Venus bumps into secretive Pluto, this person might ask you to do a favor for them that doesn't make sense to you, but would be easy to complete.
—Chicago Tribune, 19 Oct. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025
The first person to do a favor goes out on a limb but expects the recipient to return the favor at some point.
—Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Instead, the tone of these posts falls somewhere between a text to see if anyone happens to be around and offering to do a favor for a friend.
—Curbed, 19 Dec. 2023
As complex Venus bumps into secretive Pluto, this person might ask you to do a favor for them that doesn't make sense to you, but would be easy to complete.
—Chicago Tribune, 19 Oct. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Do (someone) a favor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do%20%28someone%29%20a%20favor. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share