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credit where credit is due

Acknowledgement of someone's work or contribution to something. Often used in the phrase "give credit where credit is due." Come on, give credit where credit is due! I came up with that idea, and you know it! We may not get along very well with Mitch, but we have to give credit where credit is due—he worked hard on that project.

due to (someone or something)

1. As a result of something. Due to the impending thunderstorms, the baseball game has been canceled.

2. Apt, likely, or set to do something. I think you should try to sell your house now, as the skyrocketing prices in this area are due to drop soon.

3. Owed to someone. I never got my last paycheck, so I have money due to me!

get (one's) dues

1. To receive the appropriate payment for services or work one has completed. After intense negotiations, rural farmers will finally be getting their dues from the local government.

2. To give someone that which they deserve, which can be a reward or retribution, depending on the situation. Don't worry about those stool pigeons, we'll make sure they get their dues. After all her hard work, I really hope Mary finally gets her dues.

give (one) (one's) dues

1. To give someone the appropriate payment for services or work that they have done. After intense negotiations, the local government will finally be giving rural farmers their dues.

2. To give someone that which they deserve, which can be a reward or retribution, depending on the situation. Don't worry about those stool pigeons, we'll be sure to give them their dues. After all her hard work, I really hope the company finally gives Mary her dues.

give credit where credit is due

proverb To acknowledge someone's work or contribution to something. Come on, give credit where credit is due! I came up with that idea, and you know it! We may not get along very well with Mitch, but we have to give credit where credit is due—he worked hard on that project.

give the devil his/her due

To acknowledge the good in someone who is otherwise regarded unfavorably. That guy annoys me, but he is a hard worker—I have to give the devil his due.

See also: devil, due, give

honey-do list

A list or collection of tasks or jobs one has been requested to perform or undertake, especially household duties or jobs, given to a person by their spouse or romantic partner. It is a pun on "honeydew" (a fruit), with "honey" referring to a common term of endearment, and "do" referring to a "to-do list." All I want to do on the weekends is relax, but my husband always has some honey-do list for me.

in due course

Eventually; in an expected or reasonable duration of time. You'll get a promotion in due course. Just keep working hard.

See also: course, due

in due time

Eventually; in an expected or reasonable duration of time. You'll get a promotion in due time. Just keep working hard.

pay (one's) dues

1. Literally, to pay the requisite fees to enter into or remain in an organization. If you don't pay your dues every month, they will rescind your membership without warning.

2. By extension, to work hard, gain the necessary skills or experience, or suffer hardships (in order to earn a position, set of rights, the respect of others, etc.). I paid my dues working in the warehouse for 10 years before I got this job in the head office.

3. To serve the sentence given to one upon conviction of a crime. He paid his dues in the eyes of the law, so he shouldn't be facing any further punishment for his past crimes. A: "We can't re-hire you—you're a criminal!" B: "Hey, I spent nearly 15 years in prison. I've paid my dues!"

See also: due, pay

pay (one's) dues to society

To serve the sentence given to one upon conviction of a crime. In the eyes of the law, he has paid his dues to society, so he shouldn't be facing any further punishment for his past crimes. I spent nearly 15 years in prison—I paid my dues to society!

take credit where credit is due

proverb To receive or accept acknowledgement of one's work on or contribution to something. I came up with that idea, and I'd like to take credit where credit is due. Mitch, you worked hard on that project, so take credit where credit is due.

with (all due) respect

A phrase used to politely disagree with someone. With all due respect, sir, I think we could look at this situation differently. With respect, I just don't see it that way.

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.

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, due, give

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, due

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: due, pay

reflect (back) (up)on someone or something

to remember or think about someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) When I reflect back on the years I spent with my parents, I think I had a good childhood. I like to reflect on my great-grandmother.

due to

1. Likely to, announced as, as in Betty bought more of the stock, believing it was due to rise, or The play is due to open next week. [Early 1900s]

2. Attributable to, because of, as in Due to scanty rainfall, we may face a crop failure. This usage has been criticized by some authorities, but today it is widely considered standard. [Early 1900s] Also see on account of.

3. Owing or payable to, as in We must give our staff whatever vacation is due to them.

give credit

1. Also, extend credit. Trust someone to pay at some future time what he or she owes. For example, I haven't enough cash this month, so I hope they'll give me credit. This use of credit dates from the mid-1500s.

2. Acknowledge an accomplishment, as in They really should give her credit for the work she's done. [Late 1700s] The phrase is sometimes amplified to give credit where credit is due, meaning the acknowledgment should be to the person who deserves it. This expression was probably coined by Samuel Adams in a letter (October 29, 1777), which put it: "Give credit to whom credit due." It is sometimes put give someone their due, as in We should really give Nancy her due for trying to sort out this mess.

give someone his or her due

see under give credit, def. 2.

give the devil his due

Give credit to what is good in a disagreeable or disliked person. For example, I don't like John's views on education, but give the devil his due, he always has something important to say , or I don't like what the new management has done, but give the devil his due, sales have improved . [Late 1500s]

See also: devil, due, give

in due course

Also, in due course of time; in due time; in time; all in good time. After an appropriate interval, in a reasonable length of time. For example, In due course we'll discuss the details of this arrangement, or In due time the defense will present new evidence, or You'll learn the program in time, or We'll come up with a solution, all in good time. Chaucer used in due time in the late 1300s, and the other usages arose over the next few centuries. However, also see in good time for another meaning.

See also: course, due

pay one's dues

Earn something through hard work, long experience, or suffering. For example, She'd paid her dues in small-town shows before she finally got a Broadway part. This expression transfers the cost of being a paid-up member in an organization to that of gaining experience in an endeavor. [Mid-1900s]

See also: due, pay

reflect on

1. Consider or think carefully about, as in She reflected on her country's role in history. [c. 1600] A closely related phrase is on due reflection, meaning "after careful consideration." For example, On due reflection I decided to vote for the incumbent.

2. reflect on one. Give evidence of one's qualities, as in The hasty preparation of this report will reflect on you. [Second half of 1600s]

with all due respect

Although I think highly of you, as in With all due respect, you haven't really answered my question, or With all due respect, that account doesn't fit the facts. This phrase always precedes a polite disagreement with what a person has said or brings up a controversial point. [c. 1800]

credit where credit is due

praise should be given when it is deserved, even when you are reluctant to give it.

This sentiment was earlier expressed in the form honour where honour is due , following the Authorized Version of the Bible: ‘Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour’ (Romans 13:7).

give the devil his due

if someone or something generally considered bad or undeserving has any redeeming features these should be acknowledged. proverb

See also: devil, due, give

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

give somebody their ˈdue

give somebody the praise that they deserve: Helen may not be bright, but to give her her due, her work is always very accurate.

in ˌdue ˈcourse

at the right time in the future; eventually: Thank you for your letter applying for the post of manager. We will be in contact with you again in due course.

See also: course, due

reflect on

or reflect upon

1. To think carefully about something: He sat in the garden and reflected on what he had just read.

2. To express carefully considered thoughts about something: In the essay, she reflects on her long career and offers advice for young writers.

3. To give evidence of the characteristics or qualities of someone or something: The student's performance reflects well on the whole school. Hasty preparation of the report will reflect badly on you.

4. To appear as a reflected image on some surface: The trees are reflecting on the water.

5. To cause something to appear as a reflected image on some surface: The window reflected wavy lines on the floor.

pay one’s dues

tv. to serve one’s time in a menial role. (see also pay one’s dues (to society).) I spent some time as a bus boy, so I’ve paid my dues in the serving business.

See also: due, pay

pay one’s dues (to society)

tv. to serve a prison or jail sentence. I served ten years in prison. I’ve paid my dues to society. The matter is settled.

pay one’s dues

verb

See pay one’s dues to society

See also: due, pay

in due course

At the proper or right time: Things will get better in due course.

See also: course, due

give the devil his due

To give credit to a disagreeable or malevolent person.

See also: devil, due, give

pay (one's) dues

To earn a given right or position through hard work, long-term experience, or suffering: She paid her dues in small-town theaters before being cast in a Broadway play.

See also: due, pay

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

give the devil his due

Even the bad may deserve some credit. This expression dates from the sixteenth century and was in print by 1589, in Pappe with an Hatchet, possibly by John Lyly (“Giue them their due though they were diuels”). Shakespeare used it in several plays, as did John Fletcher, John Dryden, and others. It was a cliché by the time Mark Twain wrote “We must give even Satan his due” (A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, 1889).

See also: devil, due, give

paid one's dues

Fulfilled one’s obligations; acquired experience the hard way. This mid-twentieth-century bit of American slang was adopted by jazz musicians, although it did not originate with them. It transfers the cost of being a paid-up member to the cost of gaining expertise in some field. Nat Hentoff defined the term in Jazz Life (1962): “‘Paying dues’ is the jazz musician’s term for the years of learning and searching for an individual sound and style while the pay is small and irregular.” However, the expression was already in print in a nonmusical context by 1943.

with all due respect

Although I give you appropriate consideration and deference. This polite little phrase, dating from 1800 or even earlier, always precedes a statement that either disagrees with what has been said or broaches a controversial point. Thus the Church Times (1978) stated, “With all due respect to your correspondents, I do not think they have answered M. J. Feaver’s question.”