due (redirected from gave their due)

Give credit where credit is due.

Prov. Acknowledge someone's contribution or ability. Jill: Jane, that was a wonderful meal. Jane: I must give credit where credit is due; Alan helped with all of the cooking. Ellen: Roger is pompous, petty, and immature. I think he's completely worthless. Jane: Now, Ellen, give credit where credit is due; he's also extremely smart.

See also: credit, give

give the devil his due and give the devil her due

Fig. to give your foe proper credit (for something). (This usually refers to a person who has been evil-like the devil.) She's very messy in the kitchen, but I have to give the devil her due. She bakes a terrific cherry pie. John is a bit too nosy, but he keeps his yard clean and is a kind neighbor. I'll give the devil his due.

See also: devil, give, his

in due course and in due time; in good time; in the course of time; in time

in a normal or expected amount of time. The roses will bloom in due course. The vice president will become president in due course. I'll retire in due time. Just wait, my dear. All in good time. It'll all work out in the course of time. In time, things will improve.

See also: course

pay one's dues 

1. Lit. to pay the fees required to belong to an organization. If you haven't paid your dues, you can't come to the club picnic. How many people have paid their dues?

2. Fig. to have earned one's right to something through hard work or suffering. He worked hard to get to where he is today. He paid his dues and did what he was told. I have every right to be here. I paid my dues!

See also: pay

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give somebody their due  also give the devil his 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 because of something Due to computer problems, the checks cannot be mailed this week. Our flight was late due to the bad weather.

give somebody 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 (slightly formal)

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

See also: course

in due time (slightly formal)

after a certain period in due course 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: respect