handsome is as handsome does
proverb One's character is more important than one's physical attractiveness. Would you go out with my friend Doug? I know you don't think he's very good-looking, but he's just the nicest guy, and handsome is as handsome does. I truly don't care about looks anymore. At this point, I've had my heart broken enough times to know that handsome is as handsome does. Choose a nice guy, even if he's not a looker. Handsome is as handsome does, after all.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
Handsome is as handsome does.
Prov. It is more important to treat people well than to be good-looking.; Just because you are good-looking does not mean you are a good person. Jill: I'd like to get to know George better. Jane: Why? Jill: He's so handsome. Jane: Handsome is as handsome does. He's a very unpleasant person.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
handsome is as handsome does
How one acts is more important than how one looks. For example, He may be homely, but he's the kindest man I've ever met-handsome is as handsome does. This expression already appeared in John Ray's 1670 collection of proverbs.
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.
handsome is as handsome does
or pretty is as pretty does
OLD-FASHIONEDYou say handsome is as handsome does or pretty is as pretty does, to mean that you should judge someone by their actions and not by their appearance. Handsome is as handsome does, my mother and grandmother always said in order to prevent self-admiration. Yes, she's pretty — but pretty is as pretty does.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
handsome is as handsome does
character and behaviour are more important than good looks. proverb In this particular form the proverb dates from the mid 17th century. When used of behaviour, handsome really means ‘chivalrous’ or ‘genteel’, though in this saying it is taken to refer to good looks. The original sense is made clear in the earlier version: goodly is he that goodly dooth .
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
handsome is as handsome does
Actions, not appearances, are what count. This proverb was already an “ancient adage” in 1580 (Anthony Monday, Sunday Examples) when it was put as “goodly is he that goodly dooth”; it appeared in modern form in John Ray’s proverbs of 1670 and has been repeated over and over by numerous writers.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer