serve as

serve as (something)

To act in the capacity of a particular role. I served as a legal secretary for a couple of years while I worked on my law degree. I couldn't even afford furniture, so I just had empty boxes and stacks of books acting as my tables and chairs. We'll have a limited release the product and let this region serve as a guinea pig. If it is received well, we can expand production and distribution to the rest of the county.
See also: serve
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

serve as someone or something

to act in the capacity of someone or something. I served as the mayor's assistant for a number of years. This brick will not serve as a doorstop.
See also: serve
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • serve as (something)
  • in the street
  • in the street(s)
  • on the street
  • on the street(s)
  • on the streets
  • corporate welfare bum
  • kip down
  • Good deal!
  • look high and low (for someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Tim Ockenfels will serve as Southern division manager.
Frank Miller will serve as the as the Iowa City division manager.
City Carton adds executive management team positions
"I would welcome the opportunity to serve as Division director and to work for a strong organization that will continue to provide the foundation for professional growth that has been such a positive influence in my life," she says.
MTNA division candidates
He has a diverse tapestry of experience that will serve as a valuable resource."
John E. Zuccotti to succeed Burton P. Resnick as chairman of Real Estate Board of New York
He served on the Executive Committee from 1998-2001 and returned to the Executive Committee to serve as the secretary/treasurer in 2002-2003.
2003-2004 NAMA Executive Committee
He first served as Chapter Commander from 1990-91 and went on to serve as Commander four times.
National candidates for 2002-03 membership year
Scruggs is founder and chairman of the Washington, DC-based Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, which works to preserve the legacy of the Wall and to serve as a resource to those seeking information about the Memorial and the lessons of the Vietnam war.
Final trumpets
They serve as support groups and provide occupational information as well as job leads.
JVS: a career development model for community rehabilitation programs
State agencies might consider adopting the attitude that a client's "first job" may provide meaningful work experience and serve as a first step toward achieving maximum potential.
The growth and structure of the proprietary rehabilitation sector
A rural vocational services marketer has been employed who will coordinate the activities of all three satellites and serve as the primary community liaison on developing separate BAC's for each of the three satellite centers.
Predominant employment mode was identified as manufacturing by 48 percent of respondents claiming to serve a 25 percent rural or less rural community, while respondents who claimed a high percentage of ruralness in their community identified retail employment (40 percent) as predominant and manufacturing as secondary (33 percent).
Rural issues in rehabilitation service delivery: a Goodwill Industries of America study