(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If you do something for the ~ of something, you do it for that purpose or in order to achieve that result. You can also say that you do it for something’s ~.
For the ~ of historical accuracy, please permit us to state the true facts...
For safety’s ~, never stand directly behind a horse.
PHRASE: PHR n
2.
If you do something for its own ~, you do it because you want to, or because you enjoy it, and not for any other reason. You can also talk about, for example, art for art’s ~ or sport for sport’s ~.
Economic change for its own ~ did not appeal to him...
PHRASE: usu n PHR
3.
When you do something for someone’s ~, you do it in order to help them or make them happy.
I trust you to do a good job for Stan’s ~...
Linda knew that for both their ~s she must take drastic action.
PHRASE: N inflects, PHR with cl
4.
Some people use expressions such as for God’s ~, for heaven’s ~, for goodness ~, or for Pete’s ~ in order to express annoyance or impatience, or to add force to a question or request. The expressions ‘for God’s ~’ and ‘for Christ’s ~’ could cause offence. (INFORMAL)
For goodness ~, why didn’t you ring me?...
PHRASE: N inflects, PHR with cl feelings