Go down for father? (7)
I believe the answer is:
founder
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'go down' is the first definition.
(I know that founder is a kind of go down)
'for father?' is the second definition.
(synonyms)
(Other definitions for founder that I've seen before include "Sink like originator?" , "Beginner" , "collapse" , "One who establishes an institution" , "(Of ship) fill with water and sink" .)