do one's duty

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I felt it was my duty to come. I certainly felt it would be an unpleasant experience, but that's not a good enough reason not to do one's duty."

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2013

One has come to a point when death seems very inconsiderable and only failure to do one's duty is an utter loss.

From Carry On Letters in War-Time by Dawson, Coningsby

Mary Lyon was rather the representative of the religious influence in education, the embodiment of the belief that to do one's duty is the great purpose in life.

From College Teaching Studies in Methods of Teaching in the College by Klapper, Paul

However, he was doing what he knew to be right, and, as he ruefully reminded himself, it was seldom pleasant to do one’s duty.

From The Night Riders A Romance of Early Montana by Cullum, Ridgwell

One at least stood one's turn before sneaking off; one should not leave one's friends like a mean blackguard, even when going to do one's duty.

From L'Assommoir by Zola, Émile