What does give the devil his due mean?

 

Idiom Meaning:

acknowledge the talent of an opponent or unpleasant person

 

Examples of this Idiom in Movies & TV Shows:

 

Dallas “The Dove Hunt” (1979)

Time of Scene: n/a

Tom Owens: My boy and I had to start all over again, from nothing in Landowne.

Ben Masters: Mr. Owens has made a lot of friends around here, Ewing.

Jock Ewing: Yeah, the kind of friends that ambush people.

Dan Owens: They all know my father’s story and who ruined him in Texas. Nobody’s gonna feel sorry for whatever happens here.

Jock Ewing: So that’s it? You’re gonna kill me in cold blood, huh?

J.R. Ewing: Listen, maybe we can make a deal, sir.

Jock Ewing: No, J.R. All right, Owens. Come on. If you’re gonna do it, do it.

Tom Owens: I can’t. I’m not a killer. I thought you’re were gonna shoot my boy. I was gonna kill you, and get away with it. Give the devil his due.

 

Upstart Crow Beware My Sting! (2017)

Time of Scene: n/a

Will Shakespeare: Your observations, Bottom, are neither here nor there.

Kate: Is that another one?

Will Shakespeare: Yes, just invented it. When it comes to language, the world’s mine oyster. In fact, I’m so clever I could end up with too much of a good thing.

Kate: Maybe you should stop now.

Will Shakespeare: Can’t. They just pop up all of a sudden but, give the devil his due, there’s method in my madness.

Kate: Really, stop it.

Will Shakespeare: Why, ’tis a foregone conclusion that they’ll leave you bedazzled and in stitches and before long you will be demanding more with bated breath.

Bottom: The world’s your oyster? Why would that be a good thing?

Will Shakespeare: Tad obscure, er… what the dickens! I’ll spoil my spotless reputation. Must be tired, I didn’t sleep one wink. If I’m not careful, you’ll send me packing on a wild goose chase and I’ll vanish into thin air or be dead as a doornail.

Kate: Stop it. I really mean it. You are very clever, Mr. Shakespeare, but you can be an awful show-off.

Will Shakespeare: But with a heart of gold.

Kate: No! Just a show-off.

Will Shakespeare: Ay, there’s the rub.

 

 

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Give the Devil His Due Idiom

 

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