Justice: English Vocabulary List

a chance or opportunity given to a person equally as others

"Give me a fair shake."

"The new employee just wants a fair shake and the opportunity to prove himself to the management team."

to receive an unfortunate consequence or punishment that one truly deserves as a result of one's wrong behavior

"It serves him right."

"He cheated on the exam and got caught, which serves him right for being so dishonest all the time."

done honestly, justly, or without disobeying any rules

"She won the game fair and square."

"He won the chess match fair and square without cheating so nobody can complain about the result."

to blame the right person or thing

"Put the saddle on him."

"Before you accuse anyone, make sure you put the saddle on the right horse."

of the same level, status, or position, without any advantage or disadvantage for one person, thing, or group over the other

"We are all on an equal footing."

"The new law puts all citizens on an equal footing regardless of their wealth or background."

to acknowledge someone's positive qualities or actions, even if that person is generally unpleasant, evil, or disliked

"Give the devil his due."

"Even though he was a difficult opponent, I have to give the devil his due for his strategic brilliance."

in a transparent, honest, and lawful manner

"His business dealings are always above board."

"The businessman insisted that all his transactions be completely above board and legal."

a fair and honest treatment

"We want a square deal."

"Customers expect a square deal when they purchase goods or services from a reputable company."

a situation in which one believes that an unfortunate event that has happened to someone is well deserved

"Poetic justice rewards virtue punishes vice."

"The villain died in poetic justice when the bomb he planted on the plane exploded while he was still aboard."