give the devil his due
US /ɡɪv ðə ˈdɛvəl hɪz duː/
UK /ɡɪv ðə ˈdɛvəl hɪz duː/
1.
отдавать должное, признавать заслуги даже недруга
to admit that even a bad or disliked person has some good qualities or has done something good
:
•
I don't like my boss, but to give the devil his due, he's very fair with promotions.
Я не люблю своего босса, но, отдавая должное, он очень справедлив в вопросах продвижения по службе.
•
Even though he's our rival, we have to give the devil his due; his team played exceptionally well.
Хотя он наш соперник, мы должны отдать должное; его команда сыграла исключительно хорошо.