do any good

Idioms

Improve a situation or effect a favorable result, as in Tell me if this new medicine does any good. [Early 1700s] A negative version, do no good, is slightly older (late 1600s); for example, All his explanations will do no good.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Putting your foot down won’t do any good, either.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

“As important as these drugs are, they will not do any good for the millions of patients who cannot afford them,” Sanders wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2024

"Honestly, I didn't believe it would do any good," Mr Giuliani said after the verdict on Friday, adding that he planned to appeal the "absurd" penalty.

From BBC • Dec. 15, 2023

I told you that didn’t do any good to vote, didn’t I?’”

From Washington Times • Aug. 20, 2023

They shut their mouths tight to prevent the laughter escaping, but that didn’t do any good.

From "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023