due

give someone their due

something that you say when you want to describe someone's good qualities after they have done something wrong or after you have criticized them. She might be bad at writing letters but I'll give her her due, she always phones me at the end of the month. Geoff usually forgets my birthday, but give the devil his due, he always buys me a lovely Christmas present.

See also: give

in due course (slightly formal)

if you say that something will happen in due course, you mean that it will happen at a suitable time in the future. You will receive notification of the results in due course.

See also: course

pay your dues

to work hard or do something unpleasant over a long period in order to achieve something. I've looked after four kids for sixteen years, I've paid my dues, and now I want some time to enjoy myself.

See also: pay

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due to something

as a result of something. Due to computer problems, the checks cannot be mailed this week. Our flight was late due to the bad weather.

give someone their due

to recognize something good about someone. This wonderful musician was finally given his due when he was honored at this year's jazz festival.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form give something its due: It took more than 200 years to give the book its due, but it's now regarded as a classic.

See also: give

in due course

after a certain period. They're working on the plan and will announce it in due course.

See also: course

in due time

after a certain period. We turned south and in due time found ourselves walking along the shore of the lake.

See also: time

pay your dues

to earn respect because you worked hard to develop a skill. She paid her dues playing in small clubs in New York before an album made her famous.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of dues (= money paid to belong to an organization)

See also: pay

with all due respect

with the admiration that is owed. With all due respect, I think there are some facts you have not considered.

Usage notes: used to disagree politely with someone

See also: all, respect