to deliver the goods
8
3.9
- idiom
- Informal
- In the case of Obama, who we know can deliver the goods, that's not really a concern.
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Watch on YouTubeYou know, it really it, it delivers the goods because it's always it's always self aware of its fallibility.
- You know, it really it, it delivers the goods because it's always it's always self aware of its fallibility.
- The fingers point inwards because I am the, I'm the product, I deliver the goods.
Examples
-
In short, these two leaders not only raised their subjects' hopes but also delivered the goods.
Academic text (2001) -
I took it to Arches and Canyonlands Nat'l Parks on vacation, and it really delivered the goods.
Blog text (13) -
Can he deliver the goods?
-
The best show on TV is getting ready to deliver the goods again.
Blog text (1) -
Georgy was a professional through and through and, once on a job, tried always to deliver the goods.
Fiction book (1995) -
But we also needed a heavy hitter, a comic superstar that we knew could deliver the goods.
-
The man directed half the Harry Potter movies and delivered the goods with Deathly Hallows.
Blog text (18) -
We've been back home for a bunch of yesterdays, and you still haven't delivered the goods!
-
The team worked hard all year, and they finally delivered the goods during the championship game.
-
To succeed in this project, it's essential that everyone delivers the goods as promised.
Synonyms
827
2.0
To reach a goal after trying hard
760
2.6
To do something successfully after much effort
388
2.8
To do what is required or promised
296
3.4
To get through a hard time and be okay
172
2.8
To finish a task you need to do
102
2.4
To finish a task well and quickly
44
3.9
To keep a promise
23
3.8
To give what was promised or expected
9
3.7
Achieve the needed goal at work or in projects
1
3.7
To do what is expected and give the results needed
Antonyms
How Reliable
1
3.9
- Informal
8
3.9
296
3.4
15
5.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The idiomatic meaning 'to do what is promised' is a metaphorical extension of the literal sense of 'deliver' (to provide/hand over) and 'goods' (things provided), so there is a clear semantic link but not a fully predictable one. A B1 learner who knows the words may assume a literal meaning (physically handing over products) and may not infer the figurative sense 'meet expectations' without prior exposure or contextual clues, so this is best classified as semi-transparent.
Etymology
Deliver the goods comes from sellers bringing items to a buyer: to deliver the goods meant you brought the things a customer ordered and kept your promise. So today saying someone delivered the goods means they 'did what they promised' and gave the result people expected.