cover for
phr. v..phr. v.. to do someone's work while they are away, or to lie to protect them from getting into trouble.
phr. v.. to temporarily perform the duties of a colleague or to provide an alibi or excuse for another person's absence or error.
Can you cover for me while I go to the doctor?
When the manager asked where Sarah was, her friend covered for her by saying she was in a meeting.
The junior associate was expected to cover for the senior partner during the lengthy arbitration hearings in Geneva.
- Particles
- for
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- cover + for + object
usually followed by a person; the context determines if the act is helpful work or a protective lie.
distinguish between the professional sense (filling in) and the social sense (making an excuse); both imply a temporary substitution of responsibility.
I will cover you for.I will cover for you.the object must follow the preposition 'for' because this phrasal verb is inseparable.