carry water for

Definitions

To perform menial tasks for; to serve; to assist; to be forced by politics or pragmatism to endorse or promote a belief, individual, or organization that in reality one does not fully support.

idiomatic, transitive

Equivalents

Examples

“Julie heard a woman's voice saying that she certainly was not going to carry⟳ water for any conceited bitches who thought themselves too good for ordinary....”

“For such a caring man she would carry⟳ water for the rest⟳ of her life: no man of her acquaintance would have⟳ done what Edward Cooper did, for a woman.”

“"We won't get⟳ another chance to talk⟳, so tell⟳ me, deab: is Peter the man to carry⟳ water for me between the Israelis and the Palestinians, or should I find⟳ another horse for that plow?”

“His job was to watch⟳ Stanton's back, not carry⟳ water for his ex-boss.”

CEFR level