to go for

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

To be in favor of. Thus, 'I go for peace with Mexico,' means I am in favor of peace with Mexico, or, as an Englishman would say, I am for peace with Mexico. This vulgar idiom is a recent one, and is greatly affected by political and other public speakers, who ought to be the guardians of the purity of the language instead of its most indefatigable corruptors. In the following extract from a religious paper, the reader of correct taste and feeling will hardly know which to admire most, the sentiment or the language:


Will Mr. Greeley say that he or any other citizen has the right to oppose "the Country"--that is, its laws--whenever he or they shall choose to pronounce them "wrong?" We say, go for your country--right, as she may be in some things--wrong, as she is, perhaps, in others; but whether right or wrong, or right and wrong, (which is always nearer the truth in all her proceedings,) still, go for your country.--Gospel Banner.

To decide in favor of, is another acceptation in which this phrase is often used, especially in stating for which man or measure any particular section of the country has decided, as, 'Ohio has gone for Clay,' 'Louisiana has gone for the annexation of Mexico.' Or still worse, 'Ohio has gone Whig,' 'Louisiana has gone Loco-foco.' Other variations of the expression follow.

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