on its merits

Idioms

Also,. With regard only to the intrinsic quality of something or someone. For example, Who supports it doesn't matter; we have to consider the idea solely on its merits, or The agency doesn't care about her references but wants to hire candidates according to their merits. [Late 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.

Keaton neither narrates nor appears on camera, a bold choice that assured her film would be judged on its merits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

A group of 63 parliamentarians petitioned the court, which said in a statement that the law was suspended pending a ruling on its merits.

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

An attorney for the school district noted that the Monday ruling is a preliminary injunction and the case has yet to be heard on its merits.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2025

The case has drawn attention because it is the first challenge to a postmark law to be accepted by a court on its merits.

From Salon • Oct. 9, 2024

Unlikely to win the battle on its merits, Edison devoted considerable resources to trying to discredit AC in the realm of public relations: AC, he and his supporters asserted, was much more lethal than DC.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

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