Respect means showing kindness and care for others. It means listening, being polite, and treating people the way you want to be treated. People often use idioms to talk about respect in ways that are simple and clear.
Idioms are special phrases that don’t always mean what the words say. They help explain ideas like being honest, showing honor, or acting with care. In this article, you’ll learn idioms that people use when they talk about showing respect. These phrases can help you speak kindly and clearly to others.
Idioms for Respect
1. Give someone their due
Meaning: To give someone the recognition or respect they deserve.
Samples: The teacher gave him his due for his hard work on the project. / Even though she was quiet, she was given her due for her knowledge.
To Put it Another Way: They received the recognition they earned. / She was acknowledged for her effort.
2. Look up to someone
Meaning: To respect and admire someone.
Samples: I’ve always looked up to my older sister for her kindness. / Many students look up to their coach for guidance.
To Put it Another Way: I admire him. / She is a role model for me.
3. Earn someone’s respect
Meaning: To gain respect through actions or achievements.
Samples: He earned his boss’s respect after completing the tough assignment. / By being honest and hard-working, she earned the respect of her classmates.
To Put it Another Way: He gained respect through his efforts. / She proved her worth.
4. Tip your hat to someone
Meaning: To show respect or admiration.
Samples: I tip my hat to you for your dedication to the cause. / After hearing her speech, the crowd tipped their hats to her.
To Put it Another Way: I acknowledge your effort. / The crowd respected her bravery.
5. Give credit where credit is due
Meaning: To acknowledge someone’s contribution or effort.
Samples: He did a great job on the presentation, and we should give credit where credit is due. / Let’s give credit where credit is due and thank everyone who helped with the project.
To Put it Another Way: Acknowledge the person’s contribution. / Don’t forget to appreciate their work.
6. Hold someone in high regard
Meaning: To respect someone very much.
Samples: I’ve always held my parents in high regard for their wisdom. / The community holds the doctor in high regard for her dedication.
To Put it Another Way: I think very highly of them. / She is highly respected.
7. Pay your respects
Meaning: To show respect or honor to someone, usually by visiting them.
Samples: We went to the funeral to pay our respects to the family. / The students paid their respects by standing quietly during the ceremony.
To Put it Another Way: Show your honor. / Express your admiration.
8. Show respect
Meaning: To behave in a way that demonstrates respect.
Samples: It’s important to show respect to everyone, no matter their age. / He showed respect by listening carefully to his teacher’s advice.
To Put it Another Way: Demonstrate your admiration. / Act with consideration toward others.
9. Bow down to someone
Meaning: To show deep respect, often with humility.
Samples: After her incredible performance, the audience bowed down to her. / He bowed down to his mentor’s advice and guidance.
To Put it Another Way: Show deep admiration. / Respect with humility.
10. Pay homage to someone
Meaning: To show respect or honor publicly.
Samples: The students paid homage to their teacher at the award ceremony. / We all paid homage to the late president for his contributions.
To Put it Another Way: Show honor to someone. / Give public respect.
11. Give someone the respect they deserve
Meaning: To treat someone with the respect they have earned.
Samples: She’s a great leader, and we need to give her the respect she deserves. / After his years of service, he was given the respect he deserved.
To Put it Another Way: Treat someone with honor. / Acknowledge their worth.
12. Have the utmost respect for someone
Meaning: To have great admiration for someone.
Samples: I have the utmost respect for my grandparents and everything they’ve taught me. / He has the utmost respect for his coach’s leadership.
To Put it Another Way: I deeply admire them. / I hold them in high regard.
13. Tip of the hat
Meaning: A gesture of respect or recognition.
Samples: After the event, we all gave a tip of the hat to the keynote speaker. / I tip my hat to you for your hard work on the project.
To Put it Another Way: Acknowledge their effort. / Show appreciation.
14. Raise someone to the pedestal
Meaning: To admire or treat someone as a role model or ideal.
Samples: People often raise celebrities to a pedestal, but they’re just like anyone else. / He was raised to the pedestal after his groundbreaking discovery.
To Put it Another Way: Treat someone as a role model. / Put someone on a high level.
15. Hold someone in esteem
Meaning: To respect or admire someone.
Samples: I’ve always held my teachers in esteem for their dedication. / She holds her parents in esteem for their guidance.
To Put it Another Way: I respect them deeply. / I admire them greatly.
16. Give someone a standing ovation
Meaning: To show respect or admiration by standing and clapping.
Samples: After the performance, the audience gave the singer a standing ovation. / The team received a standing ovation for their incredible victory.
To Put it Another Way: Applaud someone. / Show admiration through applause.
17. Earn one’s stripes
Meaning: To gain respect by proving oneself through hard work.
Samples: He earned his stripes by working in the field for many years. / She earned her stripes as a leader through dedication and persistence.
To Put it Another Way: Prove your worth. / Gain respect through effort.
18. Pay the respect due
Meaning: To show the appropriate amount of respect based on someone’s role or status.
Samples: You should always pay the respect due to elders. / He paid the respect due to his mentor by asking for advice.
To Put it Another Way: Show proper respect. / Give the recognition that’s earned.
19. Take your hat off to someone
Meaning: To show admiration or respect for someone.
Samples: I take my hat off to her for completing the marathon. / You should take your hat off to him for his hard work and perseverance.
To Put it Another Way: Show admiration. / Respect their efforts.
20. Give someone a salute
Meaning: To show respect, especially in a formal or military way.
Samples: The soldiers gave their commander a salute as he passed. / We should give a salute to those who serve the country.
To Put it Another Way: Honor them. / Show your respect formally.
21. Look to someone with admiration
Meaning: To respect someone and regard them as an ideal.
Samples: He looks to his father with admiration for his wisdom. / She looks to her teacher with admiration for her knowledge.
To Put it Another Way: Regard them highly. / See them as a role model.
22. Ascribe to someone’s wisdom
Meaning: To give credit for someone’s knowledge or insight.
Samples: We all ascribe to her wisdom when it comes to solving complex problems. / His advice is ascribed to his years of experience.
To Put it Another Way: Acknowledge their wisdom. / Respect their knowledge.
23. Show someone the respect they’re owed
Meaning: To give someone the respect they deserve.
Samples: He deserves more than just words; we need to show him the respect he’s owed. / Everyone should show the respect they’re owed, regardless of their position.
To Put it Another Way: Treat them with the respect they’ve earned. / Recognize their worth.
24. Hold someone in reverence
Meaning: To regard someone with deep respect or awe.
Samples: The villagers held the elder in reverence for his knowledge. / Many people hold historical figures in reverence for their contributions.
To Put it Another Way: Regard with deep respect. / Show awe for someone.
25. Be in awe of someone
Meaning: To respect someone greatly and be amazed by them.
Samples: I’m in awe of his ability to speak so confidently. / She’s in awe of her mentor’s achievements.
To Put it Another Way: Admire someone deeply. / Feel deep respect and wonder.
26. Pay respects to someone’s legacy
Meaning: To honor someone’s achievements or influence after they have passed or moved on.
Samples: The community paid respects to the artist’s legacy at the museum. / They honored his contributions by paying respects to his legacy.
To Put it Another Way: Honor someone’s impact. / Acknowledge their lasting influence.
27. Have a high opinion of someone
Meaning: To think very highly of someone and respect them.
Samples: She has a high opinion of her teacher’s dedication. / They have a high opinion of his leadership abilities.
To Put it Another Way: Think highly of them. / Show respect through admiration.
28. Give a nod of approval
Meaning: To show respect or approval in a subtle way.
Samples: The manager gave him a nod of approval for his hard work. / After hearing her speech, the crowd gave a nod of approval.
To Put it Another Way: Show subtle respect. / Give your agreement or admiration.
29. Respect someone’s wishes
Meaning: To honor someone’s desires or requests.
Samples: We must respect her wishes and not speak about the surprise. / He respected his parents’ wishes to be left alone.
To Put it Another Way: Honor their desires. / Follow what they ask.
30. Give someone the benefit of the doubt
Meaning: To respect someone by assuming they are honest or trustworthy until proven otherwise.
Samples: She gave him the benefit of the doubt when he explained his side of the story. / I gave him the benefit of the doubt after he promised to fix the issue.
To Put it Another Way: Trust them first. / Assume their honesty.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Respect
Activity: “A Lesson in Respect”
At recess, a new student named Kevin sat alone. Olivia noticed and said, “We should make room for him.” Her friend nodded, “Let’s do the right thing.” They invited Kevin to play, and he smiled.
Later, in class, the teacher praised Olivia. “I tip my hat to you for your kindness.” The class gave her a pat on the back. “She earned respect today,” one student whispered.
Kevin spoke up too. “Thanks for treating me with respect.” The teacher nodded, “And that’s how we show our appreciation.”
Olivia smiled. She had looked up to her older brother for always being kind. Now she felt like she had followed in his footsteps.
Your Task:
Underline or list all the idioms for respect in the story.
Answer Key
- Make room for others
- Do the right thing
- Tip my hat
- Pat on the back
- Earned respect
- Treat with respect
- Show our appreciation
- Look up to
Conclusion
Respect is shown through actions and words. Whether it’s saying “thank you” or standing up for someone, idioms like “tip your hat” and “earn respect” help us talk about these moments. They remind us how important it is to be kind and thoughtful every day.
