do good
1. To have a positive effect on someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "do" and "good." If you're feeling sad, getting out in the sunlight should do you good. Wow, eight hours of sleep did me good. It's a real luxury while living with an infant, but I do feel so much better today. The trip to the beach really did our marriage good. We needed that time to relax and reconnect.
2. To focus one's energy on philanthropic acts. Monica has always been one to do good, so I'm not surprised to hear that she joined the Peace Corps. It takes a big-hearted person to do good like this and spend so much time caring for others. Through his charity, he's done a lot of good in this world.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
do one good
1. Be of benefit to one, as in I'm sure some fresh air will do her good. [Late 1400s]
2. Also, do one's heart good. Please, gratify, give satisfaction. For example, It does my heart good to see the young couple so happy.
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.