answer for (something)

idiom

: 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.

: to be punished for (something)

He must answer for his crimes.

US : to be used or serve as (something)

The old bucket answered for a sink.

Examples of answer for (something) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Nets center Nic Claxton had no answer for Towns at either end of the court early. —

C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025 The Denver Broncos had no answer for it in the wild-card round. —

Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025 Questions await Kristi Noem South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem may not have to answer for her dead hunting dog Cricket at her confirmation hearing Wednesday. —

Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025 As the Rams stacked victories one by one, the Vikings spiraled out of control, having no answer for McVay’s game-planning mastery. —

Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for answer for (something)

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“Answer for (something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/answer%20for%20%28something%29. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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