done for
done for — idiom
1. used to say that a person or thing faces an immediate threat and will die, be de
used to say that a person or thing faces an immediate threat and will die, be destroyed, or fail completely unless something changes to save them
The old fishing boat was filling with water, and the captain knew they were done for unless help came.
be + done for in a life-threatening situation
After three rounds of layoffs, the small bookstore was done for and had to close.
be + done for describing business failure
Kwame knew he was done for when the security guard shone a light on his face.
Without a backup generator, the food in the restaurant freezer is done for during a long power cut.
Ayesha realized her phone was done for after she dropped it into a bucket of paint.
- safe
out of danger or harm's way
文法句型
be + done for
用法筆記
Always appears in the passive form (be + done for). The subject can be a person, an organization, an object, or even an abstract thing like a plan or relationship.
常見錯誤
2. extremely tired, having used up all of your energy
extremely tired, having used up all of your energy
After the marathon in the summer heat, Mira was done for and could barely walk to the car.
be + done for meaning physically exhausted
The night-shift nurse was completely done for after working fourteen hours without a break.
After carrying the last box up three flights of stairs, the movers were done for.
Little Camila was done for after a day at the zoo and fell asleep before dinner.
Rania was done for after the chemistry exam and spent the whole evening on the sofa.
- full of energy
the opposite state
- rested
having recovered through sleep or relaxation
文法句型
be + done for
用法筆記
Used in casual conversation. Unlike sense 1, this meaning does not imply danger or failure — it only describes physical or mental exhaustion.
常見錯誤
done for — phrasal verb
1. to have completely lost a contest, competition, argument, or attempt, so that th
to have completely lost a contest, competition, argument, or attempt, so that there is no remaining chance of success
Down by twenty points with two minutes left, the home team was done for.
be + done for meaning definitively beaten in a contest
When Rania read the rejection letter, she knew her dream of opening a café was done for.
The candidate's campaign was done for after the damaging recording was made public.
Once the prosecutor showed the signed confession to the jury, the defendant was done for.
Liam tried to argue the light was green, but the dashcam video meant he was done for.
- victorious
having won
- successful
having achieved the desired result
文法句型
be + done for
用法筆記
Subject is typically a person, team, organization, or plan involved in a competitive situation. The cause of defeat is usually a decisive piece of evidence, an event, or a score gap that cannot be overcome.
2. to have already suffered a fatal injury or critical level of damage, with the re
to have already suffered a fatal injury or critical level of damage, with the result that death or complete ruin is now certain and cannot be reversed
The deer was done for — it had been hit by a truck and could not lift its head.
be + done for meaning mortally wounded
After the earthquake, many old brick buildings in the old quarter were done for and had to be torn down.
The old oak tree in the backyard was done for after lightning split its trunk from top to bottom.
When the hikers found the injured bird with a broken wing, they knew it was done for.
The engine in Kwame's pickup truck was done for after the radiator cracked and coolant leaked out on the highway.
- beyond saving
emphasizes that no help is possible
- fatally wounded
more formal and specific to injuries
- past recovery
focuses on the hopelessness of the situation
- alive and well
healthy and undamaged
- still going
informal; still functioning despite difficulties
文法句型
be + done for
用法筆記
Unlike idiom sense 1 (which describes a dangerous situation), this sense focuses on the physical state after damage has already occurred — the injury or destruction is already present and irreversible. The subject is typically an animal, a tree, a machine, or a structure.