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

“Basically, I was contacted and asked if an appeal could be opened on my behalf,” she told me from her home in Providence.

From The Daily Beast

Companies like Delta, Apple, and Nike flex their political muscle on behalf of gay rights.

From The Daily Beast

Yet she spoke of his dignity in such an insane situation and when she touched on his pain she expressed her own on his behalf.

From The Daily Beast

Please, Your Excellencies, consider my case with justice and intervene on my behalf.

From The Daily Beast

He co-authored the amicus brief filed on behalf of 23 pro-life groups.

From The Daily Beast

England proclaimed a rough indignation at the demand for Gibraltar, which Austria had made in behalf of Spain.

From Project Gutenberg

Before I'd gone five miles the hoodoo that had been working overtime on my behalf got busy again.

From Project Gutenberg

Above all else he did not want Winifred to know that solicitude in her behalf had drawn him from the path of duty.

From Project Gutenberg

He was indeed a faithful old servant; but he was quite ignorant of any memorial on his behalf having been sent to the Directors.

From Project Gutenberg

These misfortunes culminated in an appeal to his countrymen for subscriptions on his behalf in the musical papers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• favor
• side