Phrase guide

do me a favour

phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

phrase

Meaning 1

Used to ask someone for a favour (may be polite or sarcastic).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: literally

Examples

  • Could you possibly do me a favour and pass me that newspaper?
  • Do me a favour and shut up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

phrase

Meaning 2

Expressing incredulity.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, idiomatic

Examples

  • You expect me to clean up all this mess for you? Do me a favour.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Afrikaans: doen my 'n guns — used to ask someone for a favour
  • Chinese Mandarin: 幫我一個忙 /帮我一个忙 (bāng wǒ yī gè máng) — used to ask someone for a favour
  • Finnish: tee minulle palvelus — used to ask someone for a favour
  • Polish: zrób mi przysługę — used to ask someone for a favour
  • Chinese Mandarin: 拜託 /拜托 (bàituō) — expressing incredulity
  • Chinese Mandarin: 少來 /少来 (shǎolái) — expressing incredulity
  • Finnish: älä viitsi — expressing incredulity
  • Portuguese: faça-me o favor — expressing incredulity
  • Portuguese: por favor — expressing incredulity