to give due
to be fair to him

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

give due
give (someone) (their) due
something that you say when you want to describe someone's good qualities after they have done something wrong or after you have criticized them.
She might be bad at writing letters but I'll give her her due, she always phones me at the end of the month.

Geoff usually forgets my birthday, but give the devil his due, he always buys me a lovely Christmas present.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

give someone due
give (someone) (their) due
something that you say when you want to describe someone's good qualities after they have done something wrong or after you have criticized them.
She might be bad at writing letters but I'll give her her due, she always phones me at the end of the month.

Geoff usually forgets my birthday, but give the devil his due, he always buys me a lovely Christmas present.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

give one's due
v. phr. To be fair to (a person), give credit that (a person) deserves.
The boxer who lost gave the new champion his due.
We should give a good worker his due.
Compare: GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲