ENGLISH
REFERENCE

not do someone any favors

idiom
Meaning

To reflect badly on or to hurt in some way.


Examples
SIMPLE

Wearing those dirty shoes does not do you any favors.

CONTEXTUAL

Being rude to your boss during the meeting certainly does not do you any favors when it comes to your promotion.

COMPLEX

His decision to publicly criticize his own team did not do him any favors, as it only served to alienate his most loyal supporters.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as if someone owns the place

    Alternative form of like someone owns the place.

  2. 02

    beat someone round the ears

    To beat (a person) with blows about the head.

  3. 03

    bless someone with

    To give or bestow, as a gift from God.

  4. 04

    bring someone to their knees

    To defeat and make submit to orders.

  5. 05

    call someone every name in the book

    To call someone many abusive names.

  6. 06

    call someone everything but a child of God

    To call someone many abusive names.

  7. 07

    catch someone napping

    To take advantage of someone's inattention.

  8. 08

    cry someone a river

    To weep profusely or excessively in the presence of another person.

Last updated April 17, 2026