to answer for
38
5.8
- phrasal verb
:
responder por
- After all, we must answer for everything that happens on this earth.
I mean, it sounds obvious, but with the old top down model it often seemed as if no one had anything to answer for.
- I mean, it sounds obvious, but with the old top down model it often seemed as if no one had anything to answer for.
Examples
-
Whatever is decided, we have to answer to Srila Gurudeva for our decisions and actions.
Blog text (15) -
He has to answer for what he has done.
-
Yes, yes, because he has a lot to answer for that he could not ever answer up about.
-
Unless you wanna answer for that dead body -in your apartment.
-
And we need to answer for that.
-
"Some things you can only answer for yourself," she said.
Fiction book (2000) -
You may ask, Sir, but at the moment, the far greater question is how will you answer for the murders you have committed this day?
-
His commanders would have much to answer for when he returned.
Fiction book (1992) -
I think Mitch could stand to answer for what he's done to all of us.
-
"After the incident, he knew he would have to answer for his mistakes to the manager."
Synonyms
253
3.4
To be the reason for something happening
Antonyms
How Responsible
- Specialized
89
5.5
251
4.6
38
5.8
∞
2.7
19
6.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
The verb 'answer' can mean 'to explain or justify' and with 'for' marking the target of that explanation, a learner can partially infer that someone must explain or account for something. However, the stronger sense of being held responsible or liable (including blame or consequences) is an extension not fully predictable from the literal constituents, so the relation is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Answer for comes from the image of someone standing before a judge or leader and having to answer questions for their actions. That's why it means 'to be responsible' and to explain or justify something.