behalf

[ bih-haf, -hahf ]

behalf

/ bɪˈhɑːf /

noun

1. interest, part, benefit, or respect (only in the phrases on ( someone's ) behalf , on or US and Canadian in behalf of , in this ( or that ) behalf )

Usage

On behalf of is sometimes wrongly used where on the part of is intended. The distinction is that on behalf of someone means `for someone's benefit' or `representing someone', while on the part of someone can be roughly paraphrased as `by someone'. So, the following example is incorrect: another act of apparent negligence, this time not on behalf of the company itself, but on behalf of its banker , when what was meant was there was negligence by the company's banker

Word History and Origins

Origin of behalf¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; Middle English bihalve, earlier as adverb and preposition with the sense “near(by),” originally, as prepositional phrase bi halve “on one side”; be-, by, half

Word History and Origins

Origin of behalf¹

Old English be halfe from be by + halfe side; compare Old Norse af halfu

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in / on behalf of, as a representative of or a proxy for:

   On behalf of my colleagues, I address you tonight.

2. in / on someone's behalf, in the interest or aid of (someone):

   He interceded in my behalf.

More idioms and phrases containing behalf

see in behalf of .

Example Sentences

The trepidation comes from Carr’s open criticism of broadcasters and tech firms on behalf of Trump, who is famously hostile to journalists and outlets that criticize him.

From Los Angeles Times

"I can only apologise on behalf of the workforce - but it's not any fault of the workforce. It was bad planning, bad design - but eventually we're here and I'm glad."

From BBC

The recordings were made on behalf of the US university, Boston College, as part of an academic project to create an "oral history" of the Troubles.

From BBC

Minutes after abandoning the interview, we received a lawyer’s letter on behalf of Paul, warning us of the possible consequences if we published our findings.

From BBC

“What you’re seeing is a growing gap between the reality of everyday people and those who, with good intention, want to work on their behalf,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• favor
• side