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Is there any difference in the meaning between for what and what for?

If they are different, could you explain to me both?

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Please give an example of both in a sentence. – mplungjan Feb 19 at 7:29
unfortunately I wont give you any examples, I've just heard it many times and didnt pay any attention to the context neither was I able to catch obvious difference.Generally thats why im asking – user37875 Feb 19 at 7:55

closed as not a real question by MετάEd, Bill Franke, Matt Эллен, FumbleFingers, tchrist Feb 21 at 20:04

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, see the FAQ.

1 Answer

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What for is an idiom and means for what reason. For what doesn't have any idiomatic meaning attached to it. It will most likely be part of a clause or a sentence unless used for exclamation or inquiry in a proper context. Here are a couple of examples that may help you better grasp the concept.

Hey, come here. What for?

I traded my Macbook. For what?

The person wants to know what he traded his Macbook for. What he got in return.

Mom, you know I traded my iPhone for a pair of shoes. For what!

Here the mommy is surprised by hearing about this awkward kind of trade.

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Thanks. Great! now its clear – user37875 Feb 19 at 8:06
"Mom, I traded my iPhone!" "For what?! I'll give you what for if you've gone and got another Tribble!" – Andrew Leach Feb 19 at 8:14
btw would it be correct if she asked "What for?" meaning- why did u do it? – user37875 Feb 19 at 8:30
@user37875: Yeah. In that case it would mean why. – Noah Feb 19 at 9:46
Also "what for " can mean "a beating" as in "When the bullies caught up with poor Jimmy, they really gave him what for." – Matt Эллен Feb 19 at 11:48
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