do justice to
Idioms-
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.”
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To really do justice to the cuisines of this region would take an encyclopedia, but this volume is a fine introduction, filled with recipes that fill the soul and the stomach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026
Springsteen recognized a filmmaker who shared his sensibility and would do justice to the most painful chapter of his life.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2025
A 12-point lead did not do justice to their performance.
From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2025
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,” Parton wrote.
From Salon ● Mar. 4, 2025
I do not think words can do justice to a description of the foulness and filthiness of this bedding.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
