for the love of
Idioms-
For the sake of, in consideration of. For example, She signed up for all these volunteer jobs for the love of praise . [c. 1200]
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. An exclamation of surprise, exasperation, or some similar feeling, as in For the love of Pete, give me the money! James Joyce used this idiom in Ulysses (1922): “For the love of Mike listen to him.” Pete and Mike are euphemisms for God. [Early 1900s] Also see for the sake of , def. 3.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jay says the Buzzing Pop team, which consists of five people, "do get paid", but he says they mostly do it "for the love of the game" and juggle the work with other jobs.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026
"I do it for the love of it, I'm not doing it for income right now, unfortunately," added Scott.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
This Halloween, for the love of America—please turn on the porch light, go door-to-door, open your own.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025
Some actors want success, while others perform for the love of the art.
From Salon • Jun. 17, 2025
“Oh, for the love of Pete,” she said after a bit.
From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
