much obliged

1. Indebted to someone for their generosity, kindness, or favor. We are much obliged for all you have done on behalf of our father.

2. Thank you very much. A: "Here's your jacket, sir." B: "Much obliged, son."

noblesse obligé

Altruistic, honorable behavior or deeds that are an assumed responsibility of people of nobility or, more broadly, economic privilege. Taken from French, literally meaning "nobility obligates." The president of the tech megacorporation seems fixated on noblesse obligé these days, seemingly spending more time doing volunteer and charity work than actually running his own company.

See also: oblige

oblige (one) by (doing something)

To make one indebted by doing something for them or on their behalf; to do something that accommodates one. You're under no circumstances required to oblige your employers by giving up your legal rights in this case. I was wondering if you would oblige me by picking up a parcel for me from the post office.

oblige (one) to (do something)

To compel, bind, or otherwise force one to do something out of a moral or legal obligation. You cannot oblige your employees to put themselves in harm's way. It's simply not the case that pregnancy obliges a couple to get married any longer.

oblige (one) with (something)

To grace, accommodate, or provide one with some service or favor. The famous movie star was always happy to oblige his fans with autographs and pictures. Go on, Auntie May, oblige us with a story!

See also: oblige

Much obliged.

Rur. Thankful and owing a debt of gratitude. A: Sit down, Elmer, and have a drink on me. B: Much obliged.

oblige someone by something

to accommodate someone by doing something. Please oblige me by closing the window. Would you oblige me by accompanying me to the dance?

oblige someone to do something

to require someone to do something. You are obliged to arrive on time and enter by the side door. The lateness of the hour obliged Tony to enter by the back door.

oblige someone with something

to accommodate someone with something. He obliged her with a willing attitude. Please oblige me with a big piece of cake.

See also: oblige

noblesse oblige

privilege entails responsibility.

See also: oblige

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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References in periodicals archive

JOHNNY EAST, who rode Much Obliged to win the first running of the Whitbread Gold Cup in 1957, died on Thursday night after a short illness.

Whitbread winner Johnny East dies at the age of 79

On April 3, 1997, the lawyer and 347 students and parents from across Japan sued the state, local governments and seven publishers and textbook authors, claiming they are not obliged to use the books as they incorporate biased and incorrect history, especially descriptions of wartime.

School group loses 1997 suit arguing texts are anti-Japanese

Second, media outlets would be obliged by law to adopt a comprehensive code of conduct along the lines of that now covering ministers and MPs [members of Parliament].

The Year in Double Takes

We feel obliged to accept sacrifices in these relationships because we have chosen to be the kind of people who are faithful to those with whom we have established loving relationships.

Why sacrifice?

Is one obliged in conscience to undergo reversal of a vasectomy or tubal ligation?

Sterilization and Catholic hospitals

Working with a poetry of absence evocative of both Chantal Akerman and Michelangelo Antonioni in the upscale suburban reaches of the San Fernando Valley, where overstuffed living rooms and manicured gardens are made to seem as vast and as hollow as city railway terminals, and the sound track is no less instrumental in creating a sharp sense of distance and displacement, Haynes creates a glowering atmosphere of nameless dread that, along with the heroine played by Julianne Moore, most reviewers have felt obliged to name - generally calling it "environmental illness - if only to assign this movie a coherent narrative curve.

Safe and sorry

THE Educational Welfare Service, part of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency said: "Under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 parents/guardians who wish to home-educate their children are legally obliged to submit an application to register their children with the Educational Welfare Service of the Child and Family Agency and comply with the registration process.

State agency spells out the regulations

Yesterday, the premises of Iraqi Future daily and the car of the editor-in-chief were burnt were the workers of the daily were obliged to flee the premises unhurt.

Three media organs attacked

"For example, the colour code brown wouldn't mean that all people will be obliged to buy the exact same colour, they can always have their homes or buildings painted in different shades.

Colour code for homes on way

But why are parliamentary candidates obliged to play the transparency game while individuals standing for the presidency are not?

Why should there be a limit on how much a candidate spends on campaign?

From time to time I feel obliged to phone various utility suppliers, including banks and insurance companies, always having to use 0845 numbers.

Letter: Your Say - Companies should pay 0845 call costs

Under rules AMs are obliged to register gifts worth more than pounds 125 and other benefits - such as tickets to sporting events - valued at pounds 212.

LOOK WHAT THEY GOT!

A:Yes.You are obliged to provide all employees with a written statement of the terms and conditions of their employment,effectively a contract of employment, within two months of the beginning of their employment.

Benson's Law