a Daniel come to judgement

A person who is or has been able to wisely resolve a particularly difficult problem or dispute. Coined by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice, it alludes to the Biblical character Daniel, who was renowned for having excellent faculties of judgment. Primarily heard in UK. The newly elected prime minister has been a Daniel come to judgement, finally brokering a peace between the two warring countries. I'm voting for the candidate who's most likely to be a Daniel come to judgement before nuclear weapons are used! Mom says we need to reconcile this on our own, that she's sick of being a Daniel come to judgement.

against (one's) better judgment

In spite of one's apprehension or objections. Against his better judgment, Joe let his daughter attend her friend's party. I allowed my obnoxious co-worker to accompany me on my work trip, against my better judgment. A: "You named your loudmouth cousin your senior advisor?" B: "Yes, against my better judgment. At least this way, I'll be able to keep a close eye on him."

cloud (one's) judgment

To cause one's judgment to become confused or impaired. Tom is usually a smart businessman, but sometimes his anger clouds his judgment and he ends up making bad choices. Her grief clouded her judgment when she was signing the paperwork, so she didn't really understand the terms of the deal. Please don't let your romantic feelings for Mark cloud your judgment on what is ultimately a business decision.

in (one's) judgment

In one's view, opinion, or estimation. This snowstorm looks really treacherous. In my judgment, it wouldn't be safe for you to drive into work. A: "But I want to see the world! I don't want to keep going to school." B: "Good luck convincing Dad. In his judgment, a college degree is the most important thing anyone can have." I watched that boy get arrested! So, yes, in my judgment, he's a troublemaker that you'd do well to avoid.

judgment call

1. A subjective decision made based on one's own experience or viewpoint. Because of the impending snowstorm, it was a judgment call whether I should attempt driving to work.

2. In sports, a decision made by a game official based on what they have seen take place. The decision to issue the team a penalty was definitely a judgment call by the referee.

lapse in judgment

An error or deviation in judgment; a mistake, especially when one should have known better. Look, I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have left the bags unattended. I was just stressed out and had a momentary lapse of judgment! You're a good worker, Tonya, but this lapse in judgment is not something we can overlook.

let (something) cloud (one's) judgment

To allow one's judgment to become confused or impaired by something. Tom is usually a smart businessman, but sometimes he lets his anger cloud his judgment and he ends up making bad choices. I know you're upset, Sarah, but you can't let it cloud your judgment. Do what's best for your family.

more by accident than (by) judgment

Due more to coincidence or luck than to one's own skill or planning. To be honest, I feel like the massive popularity of the app is more by accident than by judgment. A: "This stew is delicious!" B: "Thanks, but it's really more by accident than judgment."

more by luck than judgment

By chance instead of due to one's intellect, talent, etc. I got to the finals more by luck than judgment, so my opponent was way better than me.

pass judgment (on someone or something)

To judge someone or something, especially hastily or preemptively. I know you usually don't like musicals, but don't pass judgment until you see this one for yourself. The president has been quick to pass judgment on those who speak out against her policies.

rush to judgment

1. noun A conclusion reached hastily and informed by incomplete information. Increased media scrutiny led to a rush to judgment by the CEOs, who summarily fired the employee before she could present her side of the situation. The errors are the result of a rush to judgment by the state when it set about determining the cause of the damage. This was no rush to judgment—we reviewed the case carefully and thoroughly.

2. verb To reach a conclusion in such a manner. As a detective, I try never to rush to judgment, even when the evidence seems overwhelming. Well, it's no surprise you failed to see the whole picture when you rushed to judgment like that. I can assure you we did not rush to judgment here—we reviewed the case carefully and thoroughly.

sit in judgment of (someone or something)

1. Literally, to sit as a juror in order to decide if someone is guilty of something or not. The defendant's notoriety made it difficult to find anyone who could sit in judgment of him without bias.

2. By extension, to make a judgment about someone for something they have done. The defendant's notoriety made it difficult to find anyone who could sit in judgment of him without bias.

3. To judge the merits of something. You shouldn't sit in judgment of video games if you've never tried them before.

sit in judgment on (one)

To make a judgment about one (for something they have done). The defendant's notoriety made it difficult to find anyone who could sit in judgment on him without bias.

sit in judgment on (someone)

1. Literally, to sit as a juror in order to decide if someone is guilty of something or not. The defendant's notoriety made it difficult to find anyone who could sit in judgment on him without bias.

2. By extension, to make a judgment about someone for something they have done. To anyone who is sitting in judgment on the family for their actions, I urge you to think carefully about what you might have done in a similar situation.

snap judgment

A decision made hastily, recklessly, or without careful consideration. The company enjoyed huge success in the '90s, but a series of snap judgments backfired on them, leading them to the brink of bankruptcy. The officer made the snap judgment to take the unresponsive child into his patrol car and rush her to the hospital himself.

value judgment

A judgment about someone or something based upon one's own personal beliefs, opinions, ideologies, etc., rather than objective facts or criteria. Their decision to fire him seems like a value judgment, as the manager has expressed in the past how he disliked Mike on a personal level. I implore you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, not to make a value judgment when deciding my defendant's fate. You can't convict just because she disgusts you at a personal level—you have to decide whether she broke the law or not.

(I've) seen better.

a noncommittal and not very positive judgment about something or someone. Alice: How did you like the movie? John: I've seen better. Bill: What do you think about this weather? Bob: Seen better.

(I've) seen worse.

a noncommittal and not totally negative judgment about something or someone. Alice: How did you like the movie? John: I've seen worse. Bill: What do you think about this weather? Gladys: Seen worse.

pass judgment (on someone or something)

to make a judgment about someone or something. I should not pass judgment on you, but I certainly could give you some good advice about how to be more pleasant. The judge passed judgment on the defendant, who was then taken away to prison.

sit in judgment (up)on someone or something

to make a judgment about someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) I don't want to sit in judgment upon you or anyone else, but I do have some suggestions. There is no need to sit in judgment on the proposal at this time.

against one's better judgment

Despite serious misgivings or objections, as in Against my better judgment, I told her to come whenever she pleased.

snap judgment

A hurried or impetuous decision or finding, as in George was known for making snap judgments on personnel questions; he rarely bothered to investigate further . This expression, which uses snap in the sense of "quick," was first recorded in 1841.

sit in judgment on someone

sit in judgment over someone

If someone sits in judgment on or over another person, they criticize their behaviour in a way that shows they think they are morally better than them. Note: `Judgment' is often spelled `judgement' in British English. She's no angel herself — she has no right to sit in judgement over other people. I think people should work hard to keep a marriage alive. I don't want to sit in judgment on other people, but if there's anything that's good you should try to hold on to it. Note: You use this expression to show disapproval.