(above and) beyond the call of duty

much more than should be expected.

If your waiter goes beyond the call of duty, leave a bigger tip.

Related vocabulary: above and beyond something

Etymology: first used about police officers, fire fighters, or soldiers who were injured or killed while doing their jobs

• a night out on the tiles
• a night out on the town
• a night owl
• an Indian summer
• a nine-day wonder
• an inside job
• a nip and a tuck
• a nip and tuck
• a nip in the air
• an iron fist in a velvet glove
• an iron hand in a velvet glove
• an iron man
• an ivory tower
• a nod's as good as a wink.
• an old chestnut
• an old flame
• an old hand
• an old head on young shoulders
• an old maid
• an old wives' tale
• an olive branch
• a no-lose situation
• a non sequitur
• an open book
• an open marriage