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]

Example Sentences

“Paul did do justice to how real life is in a comedic way so that maybe it reaches a different type of audience that is not tapped into these situations,” Trejo said.

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In any event, it is impossible to do justice to the collection, which ranges over millennia, primarily from 3000 B.C. to A.D.

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Springsteen recognized a filmmaker who shared his sensibility and would do justice to the most painful chapter of his life.

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Rather than endorse any political party, I could imagine Jesus quoting the prophet Micah: “He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

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But I think that’s one that’s really difficult to do justice to with language.

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Related Words

• advocate 
• condone 
• confirm 
• countenance 
• defend 
• explain 
• favor 
• maintain 
• rationalize 
• support 
• sustain 
• uphold 
• validate 
• vindicate 
• warrant