sake

sake — noun

1. used in phrases to indicate that you are taking action to support someone's inte

1.nounB1
Definition

used in phrases to indicate that you are taking action to support someone's interests or to look after their welfare. The pattern is 'for + possessive + sake' — for example, doing something for your own sake, or for the children's sake.

Example

Tuan babysat his niece for her own sake, not because his sister asked him to.

for + possessive + sake (for her own sake)

The school changed its lunch policy for the sake of students with food allergies.

for the sake of + noun phrase

Common collocations
  • for + possessive + sake
  • for the sake of
  • for your own sake
  • for someone's own good
Synonyms
  • benefit

    more general; 'sake' is always part of a fixed phrase, while 'benefit' can stand alone

  • welfare

    slightly more formal and broader, covering overall wellbeing rather than just a single action

  • interest

    often plural ('interests'); used in formal contexts about protecting someone's rights or needs

Grammar Patterns

for + possessive + sake

for the sake of + noun/pronoun

Usage Note

The possessive form is common: 'for the children's sake', 'for his own sake'. Alternatively, use 'for the sake of + noun': 'for the sake of the team'. Both patterns mean the same thing.

Common Mistakes

I did it for the children sake.
I did it for the children's sake.
The noun before 'sake' must be possessive (add 's).
For sake of clarity.
For the sake of clarity.
The fixed expression requires 'the' before 'sake of'.

2. used in phrases to state the reason or purpose behind an action, especially in f

2.nounB1
Definition

used in phrases to state the reason or purpose behind an action, especially in fixed expressions like 'for the sake of argument' or 'for the sake of clarity'. The focus is on achieving a particular outcome, not on helping someone.

Example

For the sake of simplicity, let us assume the grant will cover all costs.

for the sake of + noun (simplicity)

Karim and Jude checked the figures a third time for the sake of accuracy.

Common collocations
  • for the sake of argument
  • for the sake of clarity
  • for the sake of simplicity
  • for the sake of accuracy
  • for old times' sake
Synonyms
  • purpose

    more direct; 'sake' is a softer, more idiomatic way of expressing purpose

  • aim

    suggests a more concrete, planned goal rather than a general reason

  • reason

    broader in meaning; 'for the sake of' is just one idiomatic way to express reason

Grammar Patterns

for the sake of + noun/gerund

for + noun possessive + sake

Usage Note

'For old times' sake' is a fixed expression that belongs here — it means doing something because it reminds you of happy shared memories, not because it is practically useful.

Common Mistakes

I helped him for the sake of his benefit.
I helped him for his sake.
Redundant; 'sake' already implies benefit or purpose, so adding 'benefit' is unnecessary.

3. used with words like 'goodness', 'heaven', or 'God' to give strong emphasis to a

3.nounB2
Definition

used with words like 'goodness', 'heaven', or 'God' to give strong emphasis to a request, order, or complaint. This typically expresses frustration, impatience, or urgency. Stronger variants such as 'for God's sake' may be considered offensive in polite or formal situations.

Example

For goodness' sake, will you please put your phone away during dinner?

informal exclamation: for goodness' sake

For heaven's sake, Greta, close the door — the cat will get out!

Common collocations
  • for goodness' sake
  • for heaven's sake
  • for God's sake
  • for pity's sake

Grammar Patterns

for + goodness/heaven/God/pity + sake

Usage Note

Avoid 'for God's sake' in formal writing or polite conversation — it can sound offensive because it uses a religious name as a swear word. Safer alternatives include 'for goodness' sake' (mild), 'for heaven's sake' (mild), or 'for pity's sake' (mild). These are common in everyday spoken English when expressing annoyance.

Common Mistakes

For good sake, hurry up!
For goodness' sake, hurry up!
The fixed expression is 'goodness' sake', not 'good sake'.
Using this sense in a formal email or job interview.
Reserve for informal spoken situations among people you know well.

4. a traditional Japanese beverage produced by fermenting rice, commonly consumed w

4.nounA2
Definition

a traditional Japanese beverage produced by fermenting rice, commonly consumed warm from small cups. Higher-quality varieties may also be enjoyed cold.

Example

Selim ordered a bottle of warm sake to go with the sushi.

a bottle of + sake

In winter, small restaurants in Tokyo serve hot sake in ceramic flasks.

Common collocations
  • hot sake
  • cold sake
  • a cup of sake
  • a flask of sake
  • drink sake
Synonyms
  • rice wine

    a more descriptive English term; less specific than 'sake' which refers to the Japanese variety

  • nihonshu

    the Japanese term for sake; rarely used in everyday English conversation

Grammar Patterns

drink + sake

a cup/bottle of + sake

Usage Note

This meaning (the drink) is a completely different word from the previous three senses. It comes from Japanese 酒 (sake), while the phrase 'for the sake of' comes from Old English. In Japanese, the word 'sake' can also refer to alcoholic drinks in general, but in English it refers specifically to rice wine.

Common Mistakes

Sake is made from grapes.
Sake is made from fermented rice.
Sake is a rice-based drink, not a grape wine.
Pronouncing it 'sake' as in 'cake'.
Pronounce it 'sah-keh' (two syllables, a as in 'father').
Idioms

for old times’ sake

idiom

Doing something because it reminds you of a happy time in the past.

We visited our old school for old times' sake.

For old times' sake, let's have lunch at that cafe again.

for something’s sake

idiom

Doing something because you value it, not for any other benefit.

She studies art for art's sake, not for money.

He reads philosophy for its own sake, not for a grade.

for the sake of something

idiom

In order to get or keep something.

She gave up smoking for the sake of her health.

For the sake of accuracy, please check the numbers again.

(just) for the sake of it

idiom

Doing something without a particular reason.

He bought a new phone just for the sake of it.

Don't argue just for the sake of it; think first.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words relate to positive outcomes for someone, but they differ in scope and formality. 'Benefit' is the most direct synonym — it refers to any helpful or positive effect ('The new policy was for the benefit of part-time workers'). 'Welfare' is broader and more formal, covering overall health, happiness, and prosperity ('The government is responsible for the welfare of children'). 'Interest' often appears in the plural ('interests') and is used in formal or legal contexts about rights and needs ('The lawyer acted in the best interests of her client'). 'Good' is the most general and slightly old-fashioned in this sense ('He gave up his career for the good of the family'). For everyday use, 'for the sake of' is the most natural idiomatic choice, while 'benefit' and 'welfare' work in more formal writing.

benefit ↗welfare ↗interest ↗good ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglishJapanese (for sense 4)

The word 'sake' in the phrase senses (1-3) comes from Old English 'sacu' meaning 'legal action, dispute, or cause'. Over time it shifted to mean 'a cause or reason for doing something', which eventually became the fixed phrases 'for the sake of' and 'for someone's sake'. The drink sense (4) is a completely different word — it comes from Japanese 酒 (sake), which simply means 'alcoholic drink'. In English, it has been used since the 17th century specifically for Japanese rice wine.