handsome is as handsome does
- handsome is as handsome does
Handsome denotes chivalrous or genteel behaviour, though it is often popularly taken to refer to good looks. At its second occurrence in the proverb the word is properly an adverb. For the common
US equivalent, see
pretty is as pretty does.
c 1580 A. MUNDAY View of Sundry Examples in J. P. Collier John A Kent (1851) 78 As the ancient adage is, goodly is he that goodly dooth.
1659 N. R. Proverbs 49 He is handsome that handsome doth.
1766 GOLDSMITH Vicar of Wakefield i. They are as heaven made them, handsome enough if they be good enough; for handsome is that handsome does.
1845 Spirit of Times 23 Aug. 297 Handsome is as handsome does.
1873 C. M. YONGE Pillars of House II. xvii. ‘Don’t you think her much better looking than Alda?’ ‘If handsome is that handsome does.’
1979 A. WILLIAMSON Funeral March for Siegfried xxiv. ‘But he’s such a handsome, chivalrous, man.’ Handsome is as handsome does, thought York grimly.
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handsome is as handsome does — ► handsome is as handsome does proverb character and behaviour are more important than appearance. Main Entry: ↑handsome … English terms dictionary
handsome is as handsome does — {informal} A person must act well and generously so that he will be truly worth respecting. A proverb. * /Everyone thinks that Bon is a very handsome boy, but he is very mean too. Handsome is as handsome does./ Compare: FINE FEATHERS DO NOT MAKE… … Dictionary of American idioms
handsome is as handsome does — {informal} A person must act well and generously so that he will be truly worth respecting. A proverb. * /Everyone thinks that Bon is a very handsome boy, but he is very mean too. Handsome is as handsome does./ Compare: FINE FEATHERS DO NOT MAKE… … Dictionary of American idioms
handsome\ is\ as\ handsome\ does — informal proverb A person must act well and generously so that he will be truly worth respecting. Everyone thinks that Bon is a very handsome boy, but he is very mean too. Handsome is as handsome does. Compare: fine feathers do not make fine… … Словарь американских идиом
handsome is as handsome does — proverb character and behavior are more important than appearance … Useful english dictionary
Handsome — Hand some (h[a^]n s[u^]m; 277), a. [Compar. {Handsomer} ( [ e]r); superl. {Handsomest}.] [Hand + some. It at first meant, dexterous; cf. D. handzaam dexterous, ready, limber, manageable, and E. handy.] 1. Dexterous; skillful; handy; ready;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
handsome — ► ADJECTIVE (handsomer, handsomest) 1) (of a man) good looking. 2) (of a woman) striking and imposing rather than conventionally pretty. 3) (of a thing) well made, imposing, and of obvious quality. 4) (of an amount) substantial; sizeable. ●… … English terms dictionary
handsome — see handsome is as handsome does … Proverbs new dictionary
To do the handsome thing — Handsome Hand some (h[a^]n s[u^]m; 277), a. [Compar. {Handsomer} ( [ e]r); superl. {Handsomest}.] [Hand + some. It at first meant, dexterous; cf. D. handzaam dexterous, ready, limber, manageable, and E. handy.] 1. Dexterous; skillful; handy;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
pretty is as pretty does — US equivalent to handsome is as handsome does. 1853 T. C. HALIBURTON Sam Slick’s Wise Saws i. 136 Avery smart little boy; and Old Hundreth..tells me you are a very good boy, and that’s better, for pretty is as pretty does. a 1871 A. CARY ‘Pretty… … Proverbs new dictionary
