declare

declare (oneself) for (someone or something)

To pledge one's support to someone or something. A reflexive pronoun typically follows "declare." I declared myself for that candidate because I think she's the most qualified person for the job. Phil declared himself for that big construction project in our neighborhood because he's sick of driving five miles to the nearest store.
See also: declare

declare an/(one's) interest

To state financial interest in something. He was sure to declare his interest before we prepared his contract.
See also: declare, interest

declare war

1. To officially announce the intention to fight against an enemy country or group in a war. We will have to declare war if the rebels advance over our border.
2. To announce the intention to vehemently oppose someone or something. This usage does not refer to physical fighting. The mayor has declared war on crime in our city and is bolstering our police force.
See also: declare, war

declare war against (someone or something)

1. To officially announce the intention to fight against an enemy country or group in a war. We will have to declare war against the rebels if they advance over our border.
2. To announce the intention to vehemently oppose someone or something. This usage does not refer to physical fighting. The mayor has declared war on crime in our city and is bolstering our police force.
See also: declare, war

declare war on (someone or something)

1. To officially announce the intention to fight against an enemy country or group in a war. We will have to declare war on the rebels if they advance over our border.
2. To announce the intention to vehemently oppose someone or something. This usage does not refer to physical fighting. The mayor has declared war on crime in our city and is bolstering our police force.
See also: declare, on, war

I (do) declare!

This is surprising! Why, John Miller, I do declare! I didn't expect to see you here! A: "Did you hear that Thomas and Millie got engaged?" B: "I declare! I didn't realize things were so serious between them."

I declare to goodness

This is surprising! Why, John Miller, I declare to goodness! I didn't expect to see you here! A: "Did you hear that Thomas and Millie got engaged?" B: "I declare to goodness! I didn't realize things were so serious between them."
See also: declare, goodness
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

declare (oneself) for someone or something

to state one's support of someone or something. Susan declared herself for Mary's candidacy. I have not yet declared for any particular policy. Todd declared himself for the candidacy of Mary Brown for mayor.
See also: declare

declare (oneself) for someone or something

to state one's support of someone or something. Susan declared herself for Mary's candidacy. I have not yet declared for any particular policy. Todd declared himself for the candidacy of Mary Brown for mayor.
See also: declare

declare war against someone or something

 and declare war on someone or something 
1. Lit. to formally announce that one will fight a war with someone or some country. A group of countries declared war against the aggressor.
2. . Fig. to announce a serious campaign against a type of person or a serious problem. The president declared war against crime and criminals. The pressure group declared war on waste.
See also: declare, war

I declare (to goodness)!

Rur. What a surprise! I declare to goodness! You certainly have grown since I saw you. Tom: Jim and Sally are going to get married. Mary: Well, I declare!

I (do) declare!

Inf. I am surprised to hear that! (Old-fashioned.) Mary: I'm the new president of my sorority! Grandmother: I declare! That's very nice. A plane had landed right in the middle of the cornfield. The old farmer shook his head in disbelief. "I do declare!" he said over and over as he walked toward the plane.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

declare war on

Also, declare war against. Announce one's intent to suppress or eradicate something or someone. For example, The police have declared war on drug dealing in the neighborhood, or Several gangs have declared war against each other. This usage transfers the literal sense of the term, "to state formally one's intention to carry on hostilities against another power," to a somewhat smaller scale.
See also: declare, on, war
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

declare an (or your) interest

make known your financial interests in an undertaking before it is discussed.
See also: declare, interest
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

declare war

1. To state formally the intention to carry on armed hostilities against.
2. To state one's intent to suppress or eradicate: declared war on drug dealing in the neighborhood.
See also: declare, war
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • not do (someone or oneself) any favors
  • buy (yourself) time
  • buy time
  • associate
  • associate oneself with
  • associate with
  • freshen up
  • involve with
  • involve with (someone or something)
  • involved with
References in periodicals archive
Previously, only mentris besar and state executive councillors were obliged to declare their assets in Perak.
Perak assembly approves motion compelling assemblymen and families to declare assets
As a minister in the Home Office at Westminster, the former MP also made police officers who were members declare, although this law was later challenged and overruled.
Masons 'should not have to declare their membership'
November 1: Russia declares war on the Ottoman Empire.
The War 1914
Assembly rules say he is obliged to declare only money-making interests.
AM Marek refuses to say if he will declare loan
But even if someone can negotiate the means test and declare bankruptcy, there are other nettlesome requirements sprinkled throughout the legislation.
Medical Debtors to the Poorhouse
President Rodrigo Duterte will not declare a holiday ceasefire with the communist rebels a week before Christmas, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Tuesday.
No holiday ceasefire with Reds - Medialdea
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi today reiterated that he has no assets to declare to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
I am a poor man with no assets to declare, tourism minister says
'The board has given a clear go ahead to declare these properties as heritage properties and after fulfilling other legalities WCLA would declare them as Heritage Properties.
16 buildings to be declared Heritage
It has been learnt that initially 16 buildings out of the total 247 are being taken up for declaration as heritage properties and the HCB would meet fortnightly to assess and declare more constructions as heritage.
WCLA approves list of 16 heritage properties
Imam has already written the assembly informing it of his defection citing the crisis in the APC, while the state chairman of APC, Abdullahi Bello, also wrote the house to declare the seat vacant since he was no longer a member of the ruling party.
Crisis looms as Kogi assembly declares ex-speaker's seat vacant
According to him, the mandate to enforce the Code of Conduct is in the purview of heads of the various branches of government, and not the LACC.He says the reported gross refusal to declare their respective assets is in violation of the Code of Conduct and the acct that creates the LACC.
LACC Boss out of order
Bulgaria's National Audit Office has named current and former Ministers and parliamentarians who have failed to fully declare their incomes or property deals.
Prominent Bulgaria Ministers, MPs Fail to Declare Income
Bets on which constituency will be the first to declare its result have virtually dried up because Sunderland is odds-on favourite to retain its crown.
City favourite to declare first
"To declare war on terrorism would seem to me to have the wrong target.
Wrong targets