serve a purpose
serve a purpose
To fit or satisfy the necessary requirements; to be useful for or fit to achieve some aim, goal, or purpose. Well, it isn't very flashy, but this old truck ought to serve a purpose somewhere on the ranch. I hope that my lessons served a purpose in my students' lives.
See also: purpose, serve
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
Serve a (useful) purpose
to be useful in accomplishing some purpose. This large book should serve a useful purpose. We can use it for a doorstop.
See also: purpose, serve
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
serve a purpose
Also, serve one's or the purpose . Be useful, meet the needs or requirements, satisfy, as in I don't know why they've added all this information but it probably serves a purpose, or It often serves his purpose to be vague, or We don't have a spading fork but this shovel should serve the purpose. This idiom was first recorded in 1513.
See also: purpose, serve
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- serve the purpose
- serve (one's) purpose
- serve a, his, its, etc. purpose
- fit in with (someone or something)
- You cannot get a quart into a pint pot
- you can't get a quart into a pint pot
- fit the bill
- give (someone) a fit
- give someone a fit
- fiddle