Idioms

do the honors

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do the honors

To perform a task or duty of an official nature, often in a social setting. Sometimes used humorously. Why don't you do the honors and greet people at the door? I'll take their coats. Joe, do the honors and cut me a slice of that pizza, will you? The mayor was supposed to cut the ribbon, but he can't make it, so we'll have to find someone else to do the honors.
See also: honor
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

do the honors

Act as a host or hostess, performing introductions and otherwise attending to guests. For example, At home Mary leaves it to Bill to do the honors when they have guests. This expression uses honors in the sense of "courtesy." [Mid-1600s]
See also: honor
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

do the honours

1 perform a social duty or small ceremony for others. 2 perform a particular function that is central to the proceedings. informal humorous
2 2007 David Kynaston A World to Build Two men were hanged at Pentonville, with the lugubrious Albert Pierrepoint doing the honours.
See also: honour
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

do the ˈhonours

(often humorous) perform a social duty or ceremony, such as pouring drinks, making a speech, etc: Harry, could you do the honours? Tom and Angela both want gin and tonic. ♢ His father was ill, so Charles did the honours with the welcome speech.
See also: honour
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

do the honors, to

To render courtesies to guests; to act as a host, making introductions, carving the turkey, and the like. This expression was being used by 1700. It appears in Alexander Pope’s Imitations of Horace (1737): “Then hire a Slave, or (if you will), a Lord, to do the Honours, and to give the Word.”
See also: to
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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References in periodicals archive
It's only going to be a matter of time somebody gives birth on it, isn't it, and it could be Priya, pictured, doing the honours. She finds out tonight that she's pregnant, and as luck would have it, her testing kit falls out of her bag right at David's feet.
WE LOVE SOAPS
"But when the callously irresistible Captain James 'Flint' Blackmoore insists on doing the honours, Lady Fury decides on some rules.
I wrote a book.
The visitors moved into a 9-0 lead, with Boden doing the honours from the tee.
Bromsgrove bubble burst by the Lions
This custom died out in the early 19th century, but was revived by Bishop Jenkins in 1984 with the mayor of Darlington doing the honours.
New bishop will be enthroned today; Ancient acts welcome him to his role
One can see Shaikh Mohammed doing the honours reflecting the vision of Shaikh Rashid and signposting the future where huge enterprises would turn the emirate into a miracle in the desert.
Ahead of their time
"We are delighted to have the only World Cup winning Indian captain doing the honours this year at the awards," said Bhatia.
Kapil Dev will present Bhatia Awards
While NASA has a strict no-alcohol policy, a nonprofit research group called Astronauts4Hire is doing the honours aboard Zero Gravity Corp.'s airplane, which simulates the microgravity environment of space by making parabolic dives.
Here's what beer tastes like in outer space
"Initially I was disappointed that it hadn't been the Queen doing the honours, but the Prince of Wales was very charming.
Vicar's pride at MBE presentation
Forpadydeplasterer is saddled by Tom Cooper, and will have Davy Russell doing the honours up top.
Horse Racing: Tranquil Sea to rock boat; FAIRYHOUSE TODAY RACING: ONE TRAINER IS CONFIDENT HE CAN LAND A HUGHES WIN IN THE GRAND NATIONAL
Doing the honours, he made no mention of the problems associated with the building's construction.
North City News: 'Leaking roof' centre opened; ERDINGTON: Relief for jobseekers as trouble-plagued building is completed
And there's more from Freefall on December 10 with Simon, Alan and that man Fraser Latta doing the honours.
Mailmusic: Clubber's guide: Wannabe DJs: All hands on decks; Mickey McMonagle reveals his pick of the hottest club nights across Scotland
"It's no hoax and we will be officially opening the Tommy Cooper Walk of Fame at the Twyn with Harry Andrews, leader of Caerphilly County Council, doing the honours, complete with fez," he said.
First step is taken
Victoria's niece Liberty and Becks' niece Georgina will be doing the honours dressed as fairies.
ELTON SINGS AT POSH AND BECKS WEDDING; We reveal details of big day
At the end of yesterday's service, conducted in the Almshouses quadrangle by the Rev Richard Hare, 1,056 sticky buns were handed out to the children, with mayor John Haynes, local MP Dan Byles, borough councillor Julie Jackson and members of the Nicholas Chamberlaine School Foundation doing the honours.
BUN FUN TREAT FOR CHILDREN; Pupils help keep alive tradition dating back 300 years
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