does good

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   Has a helpful or morally good effect on people or things.

   Grammar: Used with a subject that is a thing or action, not a person: 'Exercise does good.' For a person, say 'does someone good'.

   Patterns

   • something does good
   • does someone good
   • does good for someone

   Volunteering at the shelter does good for the whole neighborhood.

   A short walk after lunch does you good.

   The charity says every donation does good somewhere.

2. 2phraseidiominformal

   Helps people or improves a situation, especially in a practical way.

   Grammar: Often used after 'really' or 'a lot' to show a strong effect: 'That really does good.'

   Patterns

   • really does good
   • does a lot of good

   Her advice really does good when I feel stuck.

   The new bus route does a lot of good for commuters.

Common combinations

does a lot of good

The free clinic does a lot of good in this area.

does more harm than good

Criticizing him constantly does more harm than good.

does good work

The team does good work with local schools.

does someone good

A break from screens does her good.

Synonyms and how they differ

helps

More direct and neutral; 'helps' can take a person or thing as object, while 'does good' is often used without an object.

benefits

More formal and usually transitive: 'The change benefits everyone.'

Opposites

Word family

good noun

The general noun meaning something helpful or morally right, as in 'for the good of everyone'.

do-gooder noun

A person who tries to help others, often in a way that seems too eager or impractical.

Commonly confused: does good or does well?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “does good”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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