do justice to


1

Treat fairly or adequately, with full appreciation, as in That review doesn't do the play justice. This expression was first recorded in John Dryden's preface to Troilus and Cressida (1679): “I cannot leave this subject before I do justice to that Divine Poet.”

2

do oneself justice. Execute in accordance with one's abilities, as in She finally got a position in which she could do herself justice. [Second half of 1800s]