answer for

British  

verb

1. to be liable or responsible for (a person's actions, behaviour, etc)

2. to vouch for or speak on behalf of (a person)

3. to suffer or atone for (one's wrongdoing)

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answer for Idioms  

1. Take responsibility for, take charge of, as in The new alarm system has to answer for the security of the grounds . [Late 1200s]

2. Take the blame for, as in The kids who were caught shoplifting have a lot to answer for . [c. 1200]

3. To vouch for or sponsor someone, as in I'll answer for John as a reliable employee . [Early 1700s]

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Example Sentences

Redick then gave a simple answer for how the Lakers have to deal with the Rockets in the best-of-seven series.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discuss AG Bondi’s legacy, and why she may still be dragged before congress to answer for the DOJ’s mishandling of the Epstein Files.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

But Moore says his boss "always had an answer for everything".

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Etiquette expert Nick Leighton says it’s a hard question to answer for a number of reasons.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

Anthony came up with a more complete answer for a later interviewer.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling