Phrase guide

do by

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To perform on behalf of someone or with someone in mind; to behave in a manner befitting someone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal, usually

Examples

  • I've tried hard to do right by him. Even so, he continues to do badly by me.
  • Do as you would be done by.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

interact in a certain way

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Do right by her
  • Treat him with caution, please
  • Handle the press reporters gently

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: treat, handle

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: interact

Narrower terms: mock, bemock, ignore, disregard, snub, cut, wrong, handle with kid gloves, criminalize, nurse, strong-arm, ride roughshod, run roughshod, upstage, rough-house, brutalize, brutalise, do well by, gloss over, skate over, smooth over, slur over, skimp over, mistreat, maltreat, abuse, ill-use, step, ill-treat, pamper, featherbed, cosset, cocker, baby, coddle, mollycoddle, spoil, indulge

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.