speak for phrasal verb (see also speak)

1. speak for somebody/something to express the feelings, thoughts, or beliefs of a person or group of people:
Dan, speaking for the students, started the meeting.

2. speak for yourself spoken used to tell someone that you do not have the same opinion as they do, or that something that is true for them is not true for you:
‘We don’t want to go.’ ‘Speak for yourself!’

3. be spoken for if something or someone is spoken for, they have already been promised to someone else:
They’re all either married or spoken for.

4. speak for itself/themselves to show something very clearly:
The results speak for themselves.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

speak for
speak for (someone/something)
to express the opinions or wishes of someone.
I can't speak for my boss on something that is so personal.

Tokarczyk believed that her poetry could speak for the nation.

speak for (yourself)
to say what you really believe or think is true.
She should tell us what happened – I mean, she's an adult, she can speak for herself.

Usage notes: sometimes used to say you do not agree with what someone else has said:
“Without makeup a woman cannot be pretty.” “Speak for yourself. I think she's beautiful with no makeup at all.”

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

speak for something
speak for (someone/something)
to express the opinions or wishes of someone.
I can't speak for my boss on something that is so personal.

Tokarczyk believed that her poetry could speak for the nation.

speak for (yourself)
to say what you really believe or think is true.
She should tell us what happened – I mean, she's an adult, she can speak for herself.

Usage notes: sometimes used to say you do not agree with what someone else has said:
“Without makeup a woman cannot be pretty.” “Speak for yourself. I think she's beautiful with no makeup at all.”

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

speak for
to make a request for something, to ask for something
I spoke for the comfortable chair as soon as I entered the room.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

speak for something
to make a request for something, to ask for something
I spoke for the comfortable chair as soon as I entered the room.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

speak for
v.
1. To speak in favor of or in support of.
At the meeting John spoke for the change in the rules.
The other girls made jokes about Jane, but Mary spoke for her.
2. To make a request for; to ask for.
The teacher was giving away some books. Fred and Charlie spoke for the same one.
3. To give an impression of; be evidence that (something) is or will be said.
■ Used with the words "well" or "ill".
It seems that it will rain today. That speaks ill for the picnic this afternoon.
Who robbed the cookie jar? The crumbs on your shirt speak ill for you, Billy.
John wore a clean shirt and a tie when he went to ask for a job, and that spoke well for him.
It speaks well for Mary that she always does her homework.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

speak for someone
speak for (someone/something)
to express the opinions or wishes of someone.
I can't speak for my boss on something that is so personal.

Tokarczyk believed that her poetry could speak for the nation.

speak for (yourself)
to say what you really believe or think is true.
She should tell us what happened – I mean, she's an adult, she can speak for herself.

Usage notes: sometimes used to say you do not agree with what someone else has said:
“Without makeup a woman cannot be pretty.” “Speak for yourself. I think she's beautiful with no makeup at all.”

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲