do one's duty



do one's duty

1. Do one's tasks or what is expected of one. For example, He was only doing his duty when he made the children finish their work. [Early 1500s]
2. Defecate or urinate, as in Please keep the dog outdoors until he does his duty. This euphemism for attending to such needs is heard less often today. [1930s]
See also: duty

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Palle-Danish
LechosŁAwale-khaw-SWAH-vahPolish (Rare)
Blanch[bla:ntʃ]
DagDAHG (Swedish)Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Leofwine-Anglo-Saxon
HrÓ&Eth;Geirr-Ancient Scandinavian