judgment

a judgment call (American)

a decision someone has to make using their own ideas and opinions. It's a judgment call - do we go by plane or risk taking the car to the conference.

See also: call

sit in judgment on/over someone

to say that what someone has done is morally wrong, believing yourself to be better. We none of us have the right to sit in judgment on our fellow man.

See also: over, sit

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against your better judgment

not the best decision you believe you could make. I wasn't surprised when Scott's business failed because I had lent him the money for it against my better judgment.

See also: against, better

pass judgment on someone/something

to express a strong opinion about someone or something. Don't pass judgment on the exhibit until you've seen it for yourself.

Usage notes: the opinion is usually not likely to be changed

See also: pass

sit in judgment (of someone)

1. to decide whether someone is guilty or not guilty of something. The men and women who sit in judgment of the bomber can decide whether or not he is put to death for his crime.

2. to decide whether someone is good or bad. There is a committee that sits in judgment of every job applicant, and they can be very harsh.

Usage notes: sometimes used to suggest that someone sitting in judgment should not be: How can they sit in judgment of anyone when they have so little experience?

See also: sit

sit in judgment (of something)

to decide whether something is good or bad. I should probably not be allowed to sit in judgment of movies made for teens.

See also: sit