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do any good

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do any good

To improve (something) or have any beneficial effect. Often but not always used in the negative. The new tax bill was supposed to foster more hiring power in smaller companies, but it didn't do any good in the end. We won't be able to tell if the medication did any good until your next appointment.

See also: any, good

do any good

Improve a situation or effect a favorable result, as in Tell me if this new medicine does any good. [Early 1700s] A negative version, do no good, is slightly older (late 1600s); for example, All his explanations will do no good.

See also: any, good