for a kick-off • for kicks for a kick-off—(coll.) to begin with; in the first place: “What’s wrong with it?” “Well, for a kick-off , it hasn’t been cooked properly.” for kicks—(coll.) do smth. for pleasure or excitement rather than because it is necessary: Dylan isn’t serious about riding; he does it for kicks . for a minute • not for a minute for a minute —1. very briefly; for a short time: Could I bor- row your English dictionary for a minute , please? 2. for one moment: The police moved to protect him and for a minute it seemed as if they were going to put him into a car. not for a minute—(emphatic) absolutely never (also: not for one minute): He may have considered it but not for a minute did he believe that Scotland would win. for a moment • for the moment for a moment—very briefly; for a short time: He might have popped in for a moment , since he was passing this way. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase not for a moment—(emphatic) absolutely never (also: not for one moment): Not for a moment would I suggest that you did it deliberately. for the moment—at present; for the time being: Sorry, Mr. Rathbone, I’m tied up for the moment , but I can see you later today. for a wonder • to a wonder for a wonder—surprisingly; strange to say: The children, for a wonder , kept still long enough for her to hear. to a wonder —(dated) to an astonishing extent: His motives were not, nor could be, of the amorous kind, for she was ugly to a wonder . for all it’s worth • for what it’s worth for all it’s worth—1. to the utmost of one’s power or ability: Chris Reininger says the shark was huge and they were “fight- ing for all it’s worth .” 2. (in the phrase “milk something for all it’s worth”) exploit an opportunity, etc. to the full: A cynic might state at this point that Ash has decided to milk this story for all it’s worth . 3. is used to imply that one may have doubts about the information he is offering: If the art market is hot now, it’ll be hotter, and for all it’s worth , here are my predictions. for what it’s worth— = for all it’s worth 3: Oh, and for what it’s worth , I read the second paragraph as saying that white voters were unified in not wanting to vote for a black man. for all the marbles • have all one’s marbles for all the marbles—(coll.) compete for all the money or for the top prize: This game is for all the marbles , it all comes down to one game and the team that wants it most will win. have all one’s marbles—(coll.) be in possession of one’s men- tal faculties: My first teacher will never be gone from my mind as long as I still “have all my marbles .” Cf.: lose one’s marbles— (coll.) lack one’s mental faculties: Not only has Mike lost his common sense, it would appear that he’s lost his marbles as well. for all the world • for the world for all the world —1. is used to emphasize assertions of like- ness: She looked for all the world like her twin sister. 2. with- out the slightest doubt: I thought for all the world that the car would plunge headlong down the bank. 3. (emphatic, negat.) on no account; not for the greatest possible reward: I am sure I would not do such a thing for all the world . for the world— = for all the world 3: I wouldn’t for the world go into that deserted house at this time of night. for demonstration • to demonstration for demonstration — use smth. for purposes of demonstrating: These machines have been used for demonstration in our showroom and at trade shows. to demonstration—prove smth. conclusively and beyond dis- pute: He proved to demonstration the soundness of the judg- ment he had formed. for effect • for good effect for effect—do smth. in order to impress people: His whole behavior and conversation are calculated for effect . for good effect—use smth. profitably or to advantage: She talked about how children can be helped and our money used for good effect . for fear of something • in fear of something for fear of something —because of anxiety or fear about smth.: They were too scared to voice their own opinion for fear of assassination or torture. in fear of something —frightened or alarmed by the prospect of smth.: He lived in fear of assassination by those loyal to the Government. for good measure • in good measure for good measure—given in addition to smth. else: All the poems are here, and then, for good measure , some hitherto unpublished fragments are added. in good measure —by a large amount; to a large extent: The People’s Forum is becoming in good measure also a women’s forum. for life • for one’s life for life —1. for the duration of a person’s life: If you help me now, I’ll be your friend for life . 2. said of smb. sentenced to life imprisonment: He was tried shortly after and sentenced for life . for one’s life—1. (also: for dear life) run or fight in a life- threatening situation: An armed man who was running for his life , was in the neighborhood. 2. (emphatic, negat.) even if one’s life depended on it; however hard one tries (also: for the life of one): Walter, for his life , would have hardly called her by her name. for money • for my money for money—1. in return or exchange for money: People who cannot afford to play cards for money , sometimes sit down to a quiet game for love. 2. at the price paid: The overall quality is such that these volumes represent extremely good value for money . for my money —(coll.) 1. in my opinion: For my money , Mar- ian was chiefly responsible for the trouble we had had. 2. used as an emphatic expression of approval: Peter’s the man for my money . He won’t see a man lose a job for want of a good news story. for my part • on my part for my part—as to me; as far as I am concerned: For my part , I could never make a good ball player. on my part—as regards my share in the action: The criticism offered on my part was not, as you put it, “counterproduc- tive.” for once • for this once for once—(also: for once in a way) as a single exception or a change from usual practice: Everyone we have invited has accepted, for once . for this once—(also: just this once) as an exception on this particular occasion (because of special circumstances): I think we might relax the regulations for this once . – 125 – for once