credit

*credit (for something)

1. praise or recognition for one's role in something. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) Especially with a lot of ~, much ~.) Mary should get a lot of credit for the team's success. Each of the team captains should get credit.

2. praise or recognition of someone for having a particular quality. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) We give her a lot of credit for her ability to get people to work out their differences. We will give credit to Sharon for her good humor.

3. credit granted to someone's account for some other financial transaction. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) I will give you credit for the returned merchandise. We got credit for the check Brian sent us.

buy something on credit

to purchase something now and pay for it later (normally plus interest). Almost everyone who buys a house buys it on credit. I didn't have any cash with me, so I used my credit card and bought a new coat on credit.

See also: buy

cash or credit

[a purchase made] either by paying cash or by putting the charges on a credit account. When Fred had all his purchases assembled on the counter, the clerk asked, "Cash or credit?'' That store does not give you a choice of cash or credit. They want cash only.

See also: cash

credit someone or something for something

to give someone or something the praise deserved for doing something. We must credit Sarah for her efforts on our behalf. We have to credit all the rain we've had for saving the crops.

credit someone or something with something 

1. Lit. to record a payment, deposit, etc., to the account of someone or something. I will credit you with this payment as you request. Your account has been credited with this adjustment.

2. Fig. to give someone or something well-deserved praise for doing something or having something. We have to credit Jeff with saving us a lot of money. We will credit the weather with part of the success of the picnic.

credit something to someone or something 

1. Lit. to record a sum owed to the account of someone or something. I will credit this payment to your account. I am afraid that I accidentally credited your payment to George.

2. Fig. to give someone or something well-deserved praise. The entire organization credited much praise to Jeff. We had to credit much of our success to simple good luck.

credit to someone or something

of value or benefit to someone or something; of enough value or worth as to enhance someone or something. I always want to be a credit to my school. John is not what you would call a credit to his family.

deserve credit for something

[for someone] to be owed recognition for doing something. He certainly deserves credit for the work he did on the project.

See also: deserve

do credit to someone and do someone credit

to add positively to the reputation of someone. Your new job really does credit to you. Yes, it really does you credit.

extend credit (to someone or a company) and extend someone or a company credit

to allow someone to purchase something on credit. I'm sorry, Mr. Smith, but because of your poor record of payment, we are no longer able to extend credit to you. Look at this letter, Jane. The store won't extend credit anymore.

See also: extend

Give credit where credit is due.

Prov. Acknowledge someone's contribution or ability. Jill: Jane, that was a wonderful meal. Jane: I must give credit where credit is due; Alan helped with all of the cooking. Ellen: Roger is pompous, petty, and immature. I think he's completely worthless. Jane: Now, Ellen, give credit where credit is due; he's also extremely smart.

See also: due, give

on credit

using credit; buying something using credit. I tried to buy a new suit on credit, but I was refused. The Smiths buy everything on credit and are very much in debt.

reflect credit (up)on someone or something

[for some act] to bring credit to someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) Your efforts really reflect credit upon you. Mary's success really reflected credit on the quality of her education.

See also: reflect

sell something on credit

to sell something now and let the purchaser pay for it later. I'm sorry, we don't sell groceries on credit. It's strictly cash-and-carry. There is a shop around the corner that sells clothing on credit.

See also: sell

take credit for something

to allow people to believe that one has done something praiseworthy, whether or not one has actually done it. I can't take credit for the entire success. Toby helped a lot. Mary took credit for everything that Dave did.

See also: take

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credit somebody with something

to believe that someone has a particular quality or ability I credited her with more sense than she showed.

do credit to somebody also do somebody credit

to bring praise and respect to someone for something they have done Her achievements do great credit to her parents. His patience and hard work do him credit.

to somebody's credit

deserving praise and respect Jackson, to his credit, talks about real problems facing real people.