Phrase guide

do right by

verb · 1 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

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To treat, deal with, or act toward (someone) in a morally just, socially honorable fashion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • I know her new husband is a good man and wants to do right by our family.
  • Hey man, did you finish that transaction with my cousin? You do right by him?
  • 2009 August 17, Barack Obama, to the convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Phoenix, Arizona, transcript We will do right by our troops and taxpayers, and we will build the 21st Century military that we need. ...We are not going to abandon these American heroes. We are going to do right by them.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: hacer lo correcto para — Translations