behalf
Related to behalf: on your behalf, on his behalf
in (one's) behalf
1. As an agent or representative of one; in lieu of one. The boss isn't here at the moment, but I'd be happy to sign for the package in her behalf. Our lawyer will be telephoning the department tomorrow in our behalf, to ensure our application goes through as planned.
2. In the interest or for the benefit of one. It's quite common, even natural, that children don't understand that everything their parents do is in their behalf. This decision is in your behalf, so don't act so ungrateful!
See also: behalf
in (someone's) behalf
1. As the representative of someone else; in lieu of someone. The boss isn't here at the moment, but I'd be happy to sign for the package in her behalf.
2. In the interest or for the benefit of someone else. Children don't understand until they're older that everything their parents do is in their behalf.
See also: behalf
in behalf of (someone)
1. As the representative of someone else; in lieu of someone. The boss isn't here at the moment, but I'd be happy to sign for the package in behalf of her.
2. In the interest or for the benefit of someone else. It's quite common, even natural, that children don't understand that everything their parents do is in behalf of them.
See also: behalf, of
on (one's) behalf
For the benefit, interest, or support of someone; as an agent, representative, or in place of someone. Our lawyer will be telephoning the department tomorrow on our behalf to ensure our application goes through as planned. This decision is on your behalf, so don't act so ungrateful!
See also: behalf, on
on (someone's) behalf
1. As the representative of someone else; in lieu of someone. The boss isn't here at the moment, but I'd be happy to sign for the package on her behalf.
2. In the interest or for the benefit of someone else. Children don't understand until they're older that everything their parents do is on their behalf.
See also: behalf, on
on behalf of (someone)
1. As the representative of someone else; in lieu of someone. The boss isn't here at the moment, but I'd be happy to sign for the package on behalf of her.
2. In the interest or for the benefit of someone else. It's quite common, even natural, that children don't understand that everything their parents do is on behalf of them.
See also: behalf, of, on
take up the cudgel(s) for (someone or something)
To defend, show strong support for, or argue on behalf of someone or something. The phrase can also be worded as "take up cudgels on behalf of (someone or something)." People from across the country are taking up cudgels for the young man being held by police. He's got plenty of money to hire a proper legal team. I don't think he needs the likes of us taking up the cudgel for him.
See also: take, up
take up the cudgel(s) on behalf of (someone or something)
To defend, show strong support for, or argue on behalf of someone or something. The phrase can also be worded as "take up cudgels for (someone or something)." People from across the country are taking up cudgels on behalf of the young man being held by police. He's got plenty of money to hire a proper legal team. I don't think he needs the likes of us taking up the cudgel on his behalf.
See also: behalf, of, on, take, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
in behalf of someone
and in someone's behalf; on behalf of someone; on someone's behalf; in someone's name[doing something] as someone's agent; [doing something] in place of someone; for the benefit of someone. I'm writing in behalf of Mr. Smith, who has applied for a job with your company. I'm calling on behalf of my client, who wishes to complain about your actions. I'm calling in her behalf. I'm acting on your behalf.
See also: behalf, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
in behalf of
Also, on behalf of.
1. For someone else, as someone's agent or representative. For example, In behalf of the board, I want to thank you for your help, or Joan was speaking on behalf of the entire staff. [c. 1300]
2. For someone's benefit or interest, as in He was collecting the dues in my behalf. [Late 1500s] Some authorities insist that in behalf of be used only to mean "for someone's benefit" and on behalf of only to mean "as someone's agent." In practice, however, the terms are so often used interchangeably that this distinction no longer has a basis.
See also: behalf, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
take up the cudgels
ortake up the cudgel
If you take up the cudgels for someone or take up the cudgel for them, you speak or fight in support of them. The trade unions took up the cudgels for the 367 staff who were made redundant. We are hoping that the government will take up the cudgel on our behalf. Note: A cudgel was a short, thick stick that was used as a weapon in the past.
See also: cudgel, take, up
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
take up the cudgels
start to support someone or something strongly.See also: cudgel, take, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
in behalf of somebody
,in somebody’s behalf
(American English) in order to help somebody: We collected money in behalf of the homeless.See also: behalf, of, somebody
on behalf of somebody
,on somebody’s behalf
1 as the representative of somebody or instead of them: On behalf of the department I would like to thank you all. Mr Knight cannot be here, so his wife will accept the prize on his behalf.
2 because of somebody; for somebody: Don’t worry on my behalf.
3 in order to help somebody: They campaigned on behalf of asylum seekers.
See also: behalf, of, on, somebody
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
take up the cudgels
To join in a dispute, especially in defense of a participant.
See also: cudgel, take, up
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- give (one) (one's) head
- give head
- give somebody their head
- give someone their head
- drive (one) out of office
- force (one) out of office
- force out of office
- cooking for one
- 1FTR
- as one door closes, another opens