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to be there for

to be there for

443 2.7
To help and support someone when they are going through a hard time
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : estar ahí para
  • I will still love you, and I will be there for you and support you.
  • always be there for
  • still be there for
  • be there for kids

I will always, I will always be there for James McNair.

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Examples

Synonyms

to help
vsto be there for
1.0

To make a task or situation easier for someone

is specifically about being available to support during hard times
to support
vsto be there for
1.0

Give help to a person or idea

focuses on personal availability during hard times rather than general backing
to help out
vsto be there for
  • Informal
486 1.0

To do something for someone who cannot do it alone

emphasizes being available over only acting once
to stand by
vsto be there for
187 3.2

Support someone through difficult times

is more about being available to help rather than only staying loyal
to help someone out
vsto be there for
  • Informal
182 1.3

Give someone support with a task or problem when they need it

is more about being reliably present throughout a difficult time
to offer support
vsto be there for
28 2.7

To give help to someone during a difficult time

stresses being available and emotionally present for someone
to lend a helping hand
vsto be there for
  • Informal
6 2.7

To give someone support with a task or problem

focuses on consistent availability rather than a single quick assist

Antonyms

773 3.1

Leave someone or something behind permanently and without care

100 3.5

Not caring for someone or something that needs care

How Supportive

devoted
80 3.4
to stand by
187 3.2
to be there for
  • Informal
443 2.7
available
427 2.3

Surface Forms

be there for infinitive
been there for past participle
being there for present participle
is there for third person singular

Morphology

be + there + for

The meaning 'to be available to support or help someone' is directly derivable from the parts: 'be' (to exist/be present) + 'there' (present) + 'for' (on behalf of/for someone), which together signal being present for a person. This compositional pattern is common in English and mirrored in many other languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would normally infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The phrasal verb be there for comes from the simple image of someone standing at a friend's side, ready to help. To be there for someone means to be present and support them, so it means 'to be available to help'.