He will give the Devil his due

Definitions

• acknowledge someone's positive qualities or actions despite overall negative opinion
  Acknowledge or commend someone for a specific positive trait or action, even if they are generally disliked or considered to have negative qualities.

• acknowledge the fairness of a decision or action, especially when it is from someone disliked
  Acknowledge that a decision or action, even if it is from someone disliked or considered unfair, has been made fairly and justly.

Examples of He will give the Devil his due

• Despite being a notorious criminal mastermind, the police acknowledge that Jack Sparrow has a certain charm and flair that deserves recognition. In other words, they will "give the Devil his due".

  This idiom means to acknowledge or give credit to someone, even if they are not entirely admirable or liked. In this example, the police are recognizing that Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, has some positive traits despite being a criminal. The origin of this phrase is uncertain, but it may have originated from a medieval poem that says, "Even the Devil has his due". This phrase is used to imply that justice should be served, even to enemies or criminals.

• Although John is known for being a cunning businessman, he has also been involved in some shady deals. Still, it is fair to say that he will give the Devil his due and acknowledge the success of his competitors who have outperformed him in certain areas.

  This idiom means that someone will recognize and give credit to their opponents or rivals for their achievements, despite perhaps not necessarily liking or admiring them. Essentially, it means that John, despite possibly having a negative view of his competitors, will acknowledge their successes. In a broader sense, it also implies that one ought to recognize and respect the positive aspects of others, even if they are not directly related to oneself.

Conclusion

The idiom "He will give the Devil his due" is used to acknowledge someone's positive qualities or actions, despite overall negative opinion. It can also be used to acknowledge the fairness of a decision or action, especially when it is from someone disliked.

In everyday conversation, this idiom is used to remind others to give credit where credit is due, even if the person in question is not well-liked. It can also be used to acknowledge that even someone with negative qualities can have moments of fairness or positive actions.

Origin of "He will give the Devil his due"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the 16th century, when it was first recorded in William Shakespeare's play "Henry IV, Part 1." The full phrase is "The devil was sick, the devil a monk would be; The devil was well, the devil a monk was he," which refers to the idea that even the devil can have moments of illness and health. Over time, the phrase evolved into "give the devil his due" as a way to acknowledge someone's positive traits or actions, despite their overall negative reputation. The idiom has since become a common phrase in the English language, used to emphasize the importance of fairness and recognition of positive qualities, regardless of one's overall character.