honor

someone's word of honor

someone's trustworthy pledge or promise. He gave me his word of honor that he would bring the car back by noon today.

See also: word

guest of honor

a guest who gets special attention from everyone; the person for whom a party, celebration, or ceremony is given. Bob is the guest of honor, and many people will make speeches about him. The guest of honor sits at the front of the room on the dais.

See also: guest

honor someone's check

to accept someone's personal check in payment of an obligation. The clerk at the store wouldn't honor my check. I had to pay cash. The bank didn't honor your check when I tried to deposit it. Please give me cash.

See also: check

honor someone as something

to praise someone as something; to praise someone for being something. Aren't you going to honor Kevin as a hero? We will honor Henry as the most promising scholar of the year.

honor someone for something

to praise someone for doing something. The committee agreed to honor Laurel for her role in the benefit dance. I want to honor you for your efforts on behalf of our cause.

honor someone with something

to show one's respect for someone with something, such as a gift, party, ceremony, a response, etc. We would like to honor you with a little reception. We chose to honor you with a little gift.

in honor of someone or something

showing respect or admiration for someone or something. Our club gave a party in honor of the club's president. I wrote a poem in honor of John and Mary's marriage.

on one's honor

Fig. on one's solemn oath; sincerely. On my honor, I'll be there on time. He promised on his honor that he'd pay me back next week.

prophet is not without honor save in his own country

Prov. Everyone recognizes that a wise person is wise, except for the people close to him or her. (Biblical.) No one in the novelist's country would publish her books, but last year she won the Nobel Prize. A prophet is not without honor save in his own country.

See also: country, his, prophet, save, without

put one on one's honor

Fig. to inform one that one is trusted to act honorably, legally, and fairly without supervision. I'll put you on your honor when I have to leave the room during the test. They put us on our honor to take no more than we had paid for.

See also: one, put

There is honor among thieves.

Prov. Criminals do not commit crimes against each other. The gangster was loyal to his associates and did not tell their names to the police, demonstrating that there is honor among thieves.

See also: among, thief

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be/feel honour-bound to do something   (British & Australian) also be/feel honor-bound to do something (American & Australian)

to feel that you must do something because it is morally right, even if you do not want to do it I'd rather go to Andrew's party but I feel honour-bound to go to Caroline's because she asked me first.

do the honours  (British & Australian humorous) also do the honors (American & Australian)

to pour drinks or serve food 'Let's eat. Shall I do the honours?'

See also: honour

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do the honors

to perform social duties at an event Jerry, I need to go into the kitchen for a moment, so why don't you do the honors and get Carol a drink?

Usage notes: usually said about serving food and drinks or greeting and introducing guests

on your honor

1. without being watched to see if you behave in the right way We ask people, on their honor, to avoid leaving garbage at the campsite.

2. with a serious promise She swore on her honor that she'd finish the assignment.