- Meaning
- This idiom means to acknowledge the positive qualities, skills, or achievements of someone who is generally disliked, flawed, or morally questionable. It suggests giving fair credit, even to an adversary, as if paying a debt to the ‘devil.’ The phrase is used in ethical, professional, or social contexts to advocate fairness and objectivity, carrying a grudging or principled tone. It reflects cultural values of honesty and balance, recognizing that even negative figures can have redeeming traits, and often implies a reluctant respect.
- Origin
- The phrase has roots in 16th-century England, tied to Christian imagery of the devil as a figure of evil yet owed certain dues in folklore. An early use appears in William Shakespeare’s *Henry IV, Part 1* (1597): ‘Give the devil his due.’ The idiom was popularized by John Ray’s 1678 *English Proverbs* and gained traction in the 18th century, reflecting Enlightenment values of fairness, as seen in Samuel Johnson’s essays. Its use grew in 19th-century literature, with Charles Dickens’ *Oliver Twist* (1838) employing it. The phrase’s moral resonance and vivid imagery ensured its spread in British and American English, particularly in debates and critiques.
- Variants
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- Give the devil his due
- Give the devil her/his due
- Render the devil his due
- Pay the devil his due
- Examples
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- He’s ruthless, but give the devil his due—he built the company from nothing.
- Give the devil her due; she’s a tough opponent but an excellent strategist.
- Render the devil his due—his policies are divisive, but the economy improved.
- Pay the devil his due; the critic was harsh but spot-on about the film’s flaws.
- Give the devil his due, that shady salesman closed deals no one else could.
- She’s not my favorite, but give the devil her due—she’s a brilliant coder.
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