do one's duty

1. Defecate or urinate, as in Please keep the dog outdoors until he does his duty . This euphemism for attending to such needs is heard less often today. [1930s]

2. Do one's tasks or what is expected of one. For example, He was only doing his duty when he made the children finish their work . [Early 1500s]

Related Words

• accept
• adhere to
• carry out
• comply
• embrace
• execute
• heed
• live by
• observe
• surrender