behoof

behoove (one) to (do something)

To be a beneficial action for one to take. It behooves him to give his boss two weeks' notice so that he maintains a good professional relationship with her. It would behoove you to call your mother before she hears about your pregnancy from someone else. It would really behoove those in power to work to narrow the enormous gap between the rich and the poor.

See also: behoove, to

it behooves (one) to (do something)

It is proper or necessary for one to do something; it is one's obligation or duty to do something. (The spelling "behove" is more common in British English.) It behooves him to give his boss two weeks' notice so that he maintains a good professional relationship with her. It behooves you to call your mother before she hears about your pregnancy from someone else. It behooves me to get to bed early tonight, since I have to be at the airport at 3:30 AM.

See also: behoof, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

it behooves one to do something

Cliché it is necessary for one to do something; it is incumbent (up)on someone to do something. It behooves me to report the crime. It behooves you to pay for the window that you broke.

See also: behoof, one, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.