English Reference
Idiom idiom

make an honest woman


To marry (a woman), especially if there is an existing sexual relationship.

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


SIMPLE

He decided to marry her and make an honest woman of her.

CONTEXTUAL

After living together for several years, he finally proposed to make an honest woman of his partner.

COMPLEX

Following the scandal that threatened her reputation, he felt a moral obligation to marry her and make an honest woman of her before the child arrived.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

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    One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.

  2. 02

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    Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.

  3. 03

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    A woman forced, or supposedly recruited, into brothels by the Japanese occupation forces before or during World War II.

  4. 04

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    It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.

  5. 05

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    A woman, especially a young one, who lacks a significant other.

  6. 06

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    Very outlandish or outrageous.

  7. 07

    enough to make the angels weep

    Something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.

  8. 08

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    Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.

Last updated August 10, 2026