much good may it do someone

English

Etymology

From do good.

Phrase

much good may it do (someone)

1. Used to express the hope that something will work out well for someone, often with the implication that, while hoping for the best, the speaker does not expect much.

   Synonym: good for someone

   • 1843, Charles Dickens, The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit:

     “Mr. Chufiey is a lyin' down,” said Mrs. Gamp, returning, " and much good may it do him, Mr. Chuzzlewit, which harm it can't and good it may, be joyful!"

   • 1882, Albion Winegar Tourgée, Our Continent, page 722:

     Your husband may keep his twenty thousand pounds, and much good may it do him!

   • 1884, Sarah Tytler, “Beauty and the Beast: A Modern Romance”, in Good Words, volume 25, page 832:

     Take your own way, and much good may it do you. But remember, if you are not back before the next train, I shall start with Soames, and my dutiful grand-children may find their way back to me as they can.

   • 2015, Edgar Watson Howe, The Story of a Country Town:

     The pin-headed woman who regards her thin-witted husband as the greatest man in the world, is happy, and much good may it do her.

   • 2022, Joan Aiken, Jane Austen, Emma Watson: Jane Austen's Unfinished Novel Completed by Joan Aiken, page 832:

     'And much good may it do me,' returned Emma with a sigh, 'since she, or rather her new husband, has cast me off.'

Translations

Translations

• Finnish: onnea (fi) (+ allative)
• French: grand bien te fasse, grand bien lui fasse (fr), grand bien vous fasse (fr), grand bien leur fasse
• Italian: buon pro gli faccia
• Polish: oby dobro trafiło