# give the devil his due

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/give-the-devil-his-due
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To acknowledge the positive qualities of a person who is unpleasant or disliked.

## Examples

- I dislike him, but I must give the devil his due.
- Although I disagree with his politics, I must give the devil his due and admit he is a brilliant speaker.
- While his personality was often abrasive and difficult to endure, one had to give the devil his due regarding his unmatched expertise in the field.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.