do somebody a/no service

do (one) a service

To help or aid one. Sharon did me a service by getting that jammed paper out of the printer. A: "Correct me if I'm wrong, but that sounds like an intern's job." B: "Just do me a service and clean up these files, will ya?" I need you to do me a service and hand-deliver these documents to the C-suite.

See also: service

do (one) no service

To do something that hinders or is detrimental for one. You do your kids no service by catering to their every whim. Pushing through illness does you no service. Take some time off to rest and recuperate. There is absolutely a segment of video game enthusiasts who create a hostile and toxic environment online, but you do the community no service when you dismiss the whole thing as "toxic."

See also: no, service

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

do somebody a/no ˈservice

(formal) do something that is helpful/not helpful to somebody: She was doing herself no service by remaining silent.

See also: no, service, somebody

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017