for good meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

for good

prep_phrase

UK /fə ˈɡʊd/ · CA, US /fəɹ ˈɡʊd/

Etymology From for (“over (a period of time)”, preposition) + good (“of an action: complete, thorough, utter”, adjective).

Idiomatic In a way that is conclusive and final.

A bad haircut is no fun, but at least you’re not stuck with it for good, only until it grows out.
This day I left Chelsea for good (that's a genteel phrase) and am got into Suffolk street.1711 July 15 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Jonathan Swift, “[Dr. Swift’s Journal to Stella.] Letter XXVI.”, in Thomas Sheridan, John Nichols, editors, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, […], new edition, volume XV, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1801, →OCLC, page 85:

4 more examples

[S]he was dozing in the elbovv-chair, having refuſed to lie dovvn, ſaying, She ſhould ſoon, ſhe hoped, lie dovvn for good.1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter LIII. Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume VII, London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC, page 200:
Well, now, I'm no scholar, and you're a lad as can read and figure; and, to put it straight, do you take it as a dead man is dead for good, or do he come alive again?1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, “Israel Hands”, in Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC, part V (My Sea Adventure), page 207:
What I want is to get out of this fix, for good—so I can go to sleep at night without worrying over what's going to happen to me tomorrow, and next month, and next year.1936 June 30, Margaret Mitchell, chapter XXXII, in Gone with the Wind, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company, published June 1944, →OCLC, part IV, page 540:
Yes, and thanks for the trouble you took from her eyes. I thought it was there for good so I never tried.1971 March 19, Leonard Cohen (lyrics and music), “Famous Blue Raincoat”, in Songs of Love and Hate, New York, N.Y.: Columbia Records, →OCLC; lyrics republished in Stranger Music: Selected Poems and Songs, Toronto, Ont.: McClelland & Stewart, 1993, →ISBN, page 153: