For the life of me

For For, prep. [AS. for, fore; akin to OS. for, fora, furi, D. voor, OHG. fora, G. vor, OHG. furi, G. f["u]r, Icel. fyrir, Sw. f["o]r, Dan. for, adv. f["o]r, Goth. fa['u]r, fa['u]ra, L. pro, Gr. ?, Skr. pra-. [root] 202. Cf. {Fore}, {First}, {Foremost}, {Forth}, {Pro}-.] In the most general sense, indicating that in consideration of, in view of, or with reference to, which anything is done or takes place. [1913 Webster]

1. Indicating the antecedent cause or occasion of an action; the motive or inducement accompanying and prompting to an act or state; the reason of anything; that on account of which a thing is or is done. [1913 Webster]

With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

How to choose dogs for scent or speed. --Waller. [1913 Webster]

Now, for so many glorious actions done, For peace at home, and for the public wealth, I mean to crown a bowl for C[ae]sar's health. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

That which we, for our unworthiness, are afraid to crave, our prayer is, that God, for the worthiness of his Son, would, notwithstanding, vouchsafe to grant. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]

2. Indicating the remoter and indirect object of an act; the end or final cause with reference to which anything is, acts, serves, or is done. [1913 Webster]

The oak for nothing ill, The osier good for twigs, the poplar for the mill. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

It was young counsel for the persons, and violent counsel for the matters. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

Shall I think the worls was made for one, And men are born for kings, as beasts for men, Not for protection, but to be devoured? --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

For he writes not for money, nor for praise. --Denham. [1913 Webster]

3. Indicating that in favor of which, or in promoting which, anything is, or is done; hence, in behalf of; in favor of; on the side of; -- opposed to against. [1913 Webster]

We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. --2 Cor. xiii. 8. [1913 Webster]

It is for the general good of human society, and consequently of particular persons, to be true and just; and it is for men's health to be temperate. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]

Aristotle is for poetical justice. --Dennis. [1913 Webster]

4. Indicating that toward which the action of anything is directed, or the point toward which motion is made; ?ntending to go to. [1913 Webster]

We sailed from Peru for China and Japan. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

5. Indicating that on place of or instead of which anything acts or serves, or that to which a substitute, an equivalent, a compensation, or the like, is offered or made; instead of, or place of. [1913 Webster]

And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. --Ex. xxi. 23, 24. [1913 Webster]

6. Indicating that in the character of or as being which anything is regarded or treated; to be, or as being. [1913 Webster]

We take a falling meteor for a star. --Cowley. [1913 Webster]

If a man can be fully assured of anything for a truth, without having examined, what is there that he may not embrace for tru?? --Locke. [1913 Webster]

Most of our ingenious young men take up some cried-up English poet for their model. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

But let her go for an ungrateful woman. --Philips. [1913 Webster]

7. Indicating that instead of which something else controls in the performing of an action, or that in spite of which anything is done, occurs, or is; hence, equivalent to notwithstanding, in spite of; -- generally followed by all, aught, anything, etc. [1913 Webster]

The writer will do what she please for all me. --Spectator. [1913 Webster]

God's desertion shall, for aught he knows, the next minute supervene. --Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster]

For anything that legally appears to the contrary, it may be a contrivance to fright us. --Swift. [1913 Webster]

8. Indicating the space or time through which an action or state extends; hence, during; in or through the space or time of. [1913 Webster]

For many miles about There 's scarce a bush. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Since, hired for life, thy servile muse sing. --prior. [1913 Webster]

To guide the sun's bright chariot for a day. --Garth. [1913 Webster]

9. Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

We 'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]

{For}, or {As for}, so far as concerns; as regards; with reference to; -- used parenthetically or independently. See under {As}. [1913 Webster]

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. --Josh. xxiv. 15. [1913 Webster]

For me, my stormy voyage at an end, I to the port of death securely tend. --Dryden.

{For all that}, notwithstanding; in spite of.

{For all the world}, wholly; exactly. ``Whose posy was, for all the world, like cutlers' poetry.'' --Shak.

{For as much as}, or {Forasmuch as}, in consideration that; seeing that; since.

{For by}. See {Forby}, adv.

{For ever}, eternally; at all times. See {Forever}.

{For me}, or {For all me}, as far as regards me.

{For my life}, or {For the life of me}, if my life depended on it. [Colloq.] --T. Hook.

{For that}, {For the reason that}, because; since. [Obs.] ``For that I love your daughter.'' --Shak.

{For thy}, or {Forthy} [AS. for[eth][=y].], for this; on this account. [Obs.] ``Thomalin, have no care for thy.'' --Spenser.

{For to}, as sign of infinitive, in order to; to the end of. [Obs., except as sometimes heard in illiterate speech.] -- ``What went ye out for to see?'' --Luke vii. 25. See {To}, prep., 4.

{O for}, would that I had; may there be granted; -- elliptically expressing desire or prayer. ``O for a muse of fire.'' --Shak.

{Were it not for}, or {If it were not for}, leaving out of account; but for the presence or action of. ``Moral consideration can no way move the sensible appetite, were it not for the will.'' --Sir M. Hale. [1913 Webster]