1 sake
Pronounced:
/ˈseɪk/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural sakesMeaning:
[count] 1 : the benefit of someone or something —used in phrases with for to say that something is done to help a particular person or thing ▪ Please do it for her sake. [=do it for her; do it to help her] ▪ They sacrificed their lives for all our sakes. [=to help all of us] ▪ We must do it for the sake of our country. —used in phrases with for to say that something is done for a particular purpose or to achieve a particular goal or result ▪ For simplicity's sake [=to make this discussion simpler], we'll consider these two options as basically the same. ▪ Let's assume, for argument's sake, that it was a mistake. = Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that it was a mistake. [=let's say for now that it was a mistake so that we can see how that will affect our discussion] ▪ For the sake of clarity [=in order to be clear], I've listed each item separately. ▪ They'll do anything for the sake of (making a) profit. ▪ scholars who pursue knowledge for its own sake [=because they want to learn] ▪ I don't paint for money. My motto is “Art for art's sake.” [=I believe in making art for no other reason than that art is important]
2 informal —used in phrases with for to express anger, annoyance, surprise, etc. ▪ For heaven's/Pete's sake, could you hurry up? ▪ Stop asking me questions, for God's sake! ▪ For pity's/God's/Christ's sake, what's taking so long? ▪ “You won!” “Oh, for goodness'/heaven's/Pete's sake. I can't believe it!” ◊The use of God and Christ in these phrases is offensive to some people.
2 informal —used in phrases with for to express anger, annoyance, surprise, etc. ▪ For heaven's/Pete's sake, could you hurry up? ▪ Stop asking me questions, for God's sake! ▪ For pity's/God's/Christ's sake, what's taking so long? ▪ “You won!” “Oh, for goodness'/heaven's/Pete's sake. I can't believe it!” ◊The use of God and Christ in these phrases is offensive to some people.
for old times' sake
◊If you do something for old times' sake, you do it because you did it in the past and you want to experience it again. ▪ He and his old friends from college went back to the bar for old times' sake.
for the sake of it
: for no particular reason ▪ We drove around town just for the sake of it.
—compare 2sake