Meaning & use
for the greater good
Last updated
Meaning
phraseidiom
Done to benefit a larger number of people, even if it harms or costs a few.
Grammar: Fixed phrase, often placed after an action: she gave up her job for the greater good.
Patterns
- do something for the greater good
- sacrifice something for the greater good
The workers accepted a pay cut for the greater good of the company.
He gave up his seat on the board for the greater good.
Some people argue that lying is wrong even for the greater good.
Common combinations
- sacrifice for the greater good
- Soldiers often sacrifice themselves for the greater good.
- decision for the greater good
- It was a hard decision made for the greater good.
- work for the greater good
- The volunteers work for the greater good of the town.
- believe in the greater good
- She believes in the greater good more than in personal gain.
- serve the greater good
- The new law is meant to serve the greater good.
Synonyms and how they differ
- for the common good
- For the common good stresses benefit shared by everyone, and sounds less like an excuse than for the greater good.
- in the public interest
- In the public interest is formal and used in law and journalism, while for the greater good is more moral and personal.
- for the benefit of all
- For the benefit of all is plainer and does not imply anyone loses out.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: for the greater good or for good?
for the greater good vs for good
For good means permanently, as in leaving a place for good; it has no connection to benefiting others.
Practice
The mayor said closing the old bridge was painful but done ___.
Choose one answer.
For the greater good means to benefit most people despite a cost. For good measure means as an extra, a tempting but unrelated idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “for the greater good”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.