English Reference
Idiom idiom

Daniel come to judgement


One who wisely settles a difficult matter.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

We needed a Daniel come to judgement to settle our argument.

CONTEXTUAL

The team was stuck in a long debate until the manager arrived like a Daniel come to judgement to solve the problem.

COMPLEX

When the board members could not agree on the merger, they invited an outside expert to act as a Daniel come to judgement and provide a final, wise decision.


first recorded 16th c.

Coined by English playwright William Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice (c.1597), after the Biblical Daniel famed for his wise judgement and dream interpretations.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    appetite comes with eating

    Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.

  2. 02

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  3. 03

    blow to kingdom come

    To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).

  4. 04

    burn that bridge when one comes to it

    To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.

  5. 05

    Christmas come early

    Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.

  6. 06

    come a cropper

    To suffer some accident or misfortune; to fail.

  7. 07

    come a long way

    To make significant progress.

  8. 08

    come again

    A polite formula used when one has not heard or understood what has been said, or to indicate surprise.

Last updated August 10, 2026