do badly by (one)

do badly by (one)

To treat one poorly. I've been so absorbed in my job that I've done badly by my wife and kids.
See also: badly, by
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

do somehow by someone

to treat someone in a particular manner. (Do not confuse this with a passive construction. The someone is not the actor but the object.) Tom did all right by Ann when he brought her red roses. I did badly by Tom. I fired him without good reason.
See also: by, somehow
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • do badly by (someone)
  • be badly turned out
  • be well, badly, etc. turned out
  • badly off for (something)
  • come out badly
  • go down badly
  • go down well, badly, etc.
  • badly off
  • (I) don't believe I've had the pleasure
  • burn something to a cinder/crisp