make a virtue of necessity, to
make a virtue of necessity
To attend to an obligation with a good attitude; to make the best of a situation in which one is required to do something. There will be many times in your life where you have to do something you don't want to, so it's best to learn very early how to make a virtue of necessity.
See also: make, necessity, of, virtue
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
make a virtue of necessity
Prov. to do what you have to do cheerfully or willingly. When Bill's mother became sick, there was no one but Bill to take care of her, so Bill made a virtue of necessity and resolved to enjoy their time together.
See also: make, necessity, of, virtue
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
make a virtue of necessity
Do the best one can under given circumstances, as in Since he can't break the contract, Bill's making a virtue of necessity. This expression first appeared in English in Chaucer's The Knight's Tale: "Then is it wisdom, as it thinketh me, to make virtue of necessity." Also see make the best of.
See also: make, necessity, of, virtue
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
make a virtue of necessity
derive some credit or benefit from an unwelcome obligation.This is a concept found in Latin in the writings of St Jerome: facis de necessitate virtutem ‘you make a virtue of necessity’. It passed into Old French (faire de necessité vertu ) and was apparently first used in English around 1374 by Chaucer in Troilus and Criseyde.
1997 Spectator How important it is for humanity always to make a virtue out of necessity.
See also: make, necessity, of, virtue
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
make a ˌvirtue of neˈcessity
act in a good or moral way, and perhaps expect praise for this, not because you chose to but because in that particular situation you had no choiceSee also: make, necessity, of, virtue
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
make a virtue of necessity, to
To make the best of things. This expression dates from the time of Chaucer, who may have been its originator in English (“Thanne is it wisdom, as it thinketh me, To maken virtu of necessitie,” The Knight’s Tale); there are still earlier versions in Latin. It has been repeated ever since. See also make the best of it.
See also: make, of, virtue
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- make a virtue of necessity
- it behooves (one) to (do something)
- it behooves one to do
- beholden to (someone)
- it behoves (one) to (do something)
- out of consideration of (something)
- have (got) to (do something)
- have to
- obligate
- obligate to