do justice to (someone or something)
1. To describe or show someone or something accurately. Often used in the negative to emphasize that something is better than it appeared or was portrayed. I think you two will love this house once we get inside—the pictures really don't do justice to its mid-century modern charm. No, let me describe it—Mom isn't doing justice to the scene at all. Nothing I say will do justice to the catchiness of this song—you just have to hear it for yourself.
2. To eat or drink in large quantities. I think you bought too much soda—there's no way the party guests will do justice to all of that. Hey, you can just leave those donuts here—I'm sure we'll do justice to them during our training. When you have teen sons, you can never have too much food. They'll do justice to every last thing you buy at the grocery store!
3. To give something the amount of care and consideration it warrants. I don't have enough of a vocal range to do justice to that beautiful song. A: "I doubt the recruiters even did justice to my application!" B: "Well, you did apply for a higher-level position that you don't have the experience for." I was too tired to do justice to the proofreading assignment, so I had to ask for an extension.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
do justice to something
1. . Fig. to do something well; to represent or portray something accurately. Sally did justice to our side in the contract negotiations. This photograph doesn't do justice to the beauty of the mountains.
2. Fig. to eat or drink a great deal. Bill always does justice to the turkey on Thanksgiving. The party didn't do justice to the roast pig. There were nearly ten pounds left over.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
do justice to
1. Treat fairly or adequately, with full appreciation, as in That review doesn't do the play justice. This expression was first recorded in John Dryden's preface to Troilus and Cressida (1679): "I cannot leave this subject before I do justice to that Divine Poet."
2. do oneself justice. Execute in accordance with one's abilities, as in She finally got a position in which she could do herself justice. [Second half of 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
do justice to something/someone
1. If you do justice to something or someone, you describe or show them accurately, especially by showing their good qualities. It is impossible to do justice to the amazing flowers we saw. No report that I have heard does justice to the truth.
2. If you do justice to something or someone, you give it the attention and effort it deserves. Florence wasn't exactly doing justice to the food either, so there wasn't a lot of point in staying. I am not skilled enough to do justice to the music.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
do justice to ˈsb/ˈsth
, ˌdo somebody/something ˈjustice
say or do something which shows that you know or recognize the true value of somebody/something; show the true value of something: They were not hungry and couldn’t do justice to her excellent cooking. ♢ This picture doesn’t do him justice; he’s much better-looking in real life.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
do justice to
To treat adequately, fairly, or with full appreciation: The subject is so complex that I cannot do justice to it in a brief survey.
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.