English Reference
Idiom idiom

do the right thing


To do what is ethical or just.

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


SIMPLE

You should always do the right thing.

CONTEXTUAL

He found a wallet on the street and decided to do the right thing by returning it to the owner.

COMPLEX

Even when faced with significant personal loss, she felt compelled to do the right thing and report the error to the board.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all rights reserved

    The copyright holder of a creative work reserves all copyright-related rights, typically including the right to publish the work, to make derivative works of it, to distribute it, to make profit from it, to license a number of these rights to other people, and to forbid these uses by any unauthorized people, thus being entitled to take legal action against infringement.

  2. 02

    bang to rights

    Red-handed, (caught) in the act.

  3. 03

    be a thing

    To exist, or to be available, widespread, possible, or a common practice.

  4. 04

    best thing since sliced bread

    Alternative form of greatest thing since sliced bread.

  5. 05

    best thing since sliced pan

    Alternative form of greatest thing since sliced bread.

  6. 06

    bragging rights

    The prerogative to praise oneself for a skill or accomplishment.

  7. 07

    bright young thing

    One who is youthful, clever, eager, and high-spirited in manner and attractive in appearance.

  8. 08

    chance'd be a fine thing

    Synonym of no chance or fat chance, with a somewhat more cheerful attitude.

Last updated August 10, 2026