for your own good

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   Used to say you are doing or asking something because it will help the person, even if they dislike it.

   Grammar: Possessive changes with the person: for her own good, for their own good.

   Patterns

   • do something for someone's own good
   • it's for your own good

   I'm hiding your phone for your own good, so you can finish your homework.

   The doctor made him rest for his own good.

   They told the children to stay indoors for their own good.

2. 2phraseidiom

   Used in a warning to say that something is wise or necessary to avoid trouble for the person.

   Grammar: Often used in warnings: you should stop, for your own good.

   Patterns

   • for your own good, do something

   For your own good, don't mention this to anyone.

   You should leave now, for your own good.

   She warned him for his own good that the ice was thin.

Common combinations

it's for your own good

Take your medicine; it's for your own good.

all for your own good

It was all for your own good, I promise.

do it for your own good

He did it for his own good, not to be unkind.

said for your own good

Everything my parents said was for my own good.

for her own good

They sent her away for her own good.

Synonyms and how they differ

in your best interest

In your best interest is more formal and neutral, while for your own good often sounds like a parent speaking.

for your sake

For your sake emphasizes caring for the person, but need not mean the person dislikes it.

to your benefit

To your benefit is formal and stresses a gain, not protection.

for your protection

For your protection suggests safety from harm specifically.

Word family

good noun

benefit or advantage

goodness noun

the quality of being good

beneficial adjective

producing a helpful result

benefit noun

an advantage you gain

Commonly confused: for your own good or for your own sake?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “for your own good”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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