2due noun
plural dues 1 dues [plural] : a regular payment that you make to be a member of an organization
▪ Membership dues are $45. ▪ Dues are increasing this year. ▪ Workers are required to join the union and pay dues. 2 [noncount] : something that someone should be given : something that a person has earned
▪ He deserves to be given his due. ▪ She has yet to receive her due. = She is still being denied her due. ◊People use the phrase to give someone his/her due when they are going to say something good about someone they have criticized.
▪ I can't say that I like him, but to give him his due [=to be fair to him], I trust him completely.
▪ Membership dues are $45. ▪ Dues are increasing this year. ▪ Workers are required to join the union and pay dues.
▪ He deserves to be given his due. ▪ She has yet to receive her due. = She is still being denied her due. ◊People use the phrase to give someone his/her due when they are going to say something good about someone they have criticized.
▪ I can't say that I like him, but to give him his due [=to be fair to him], I trust him completely.
pay your dues
: to work hard and have difficult experiences in order to become successful
▪ I've paid my dues. It's time that I began reaping some benefits.
▪ I've paid my dues. It's time that I began reaping some benefits.
