give credit

Idioms  

1. Also, extend credit . Trust someone to pay at some future time what he or she owes. For example, I haven't enough cash this month, so I hope they'll give me credit . This use of credit dates from the mid-1500s.

2. Acknowledge an accomplishment, as in They really should give her credit for the work she's done . [Late 1700s] The phrase is sometimes amplified to give credit where credit is due , meaning the acknowledgment should be to the person who deserves it. This expression was probably coined by Samuel Adams in a letter (October 29, 1777), which put it: “Give credit to whom credit due.” It is sometimes put give someone their due , as in We should really give Nancy her due for trying to sort out this mess .

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Example Sentences

Mr. Boise’s op-ed speaks truth, but he fails to give credit where credit is due.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Dahlia Lithwick: I guess I have to give credit where it’s due.

From Slate • Feb. 19, 2026

"But we have to give credit to the players. They made a commitment, they wanted to be the best in the world, and we got the outcome we wanted."

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

Is it fair to give credit for those successes only to the coaches and players, but blame only Jarmond for football failures?

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2025

I don’t care if they’re gifted and know every word in the dictionary, they still have to give credit for hard work.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver