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merit

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judge one on one's own merits

to evaluate one on one's own good and bad points and no one else's. Please judge Janet on her own merits. I was judged on my own merits.

See also: judge, merit, on, one, own

judge something on its own merits

to evaluate something on its own good and bad points and nothing else. You must judge this proposal on its own merits. The proposal has not been judged on its own merits.

See also: judge, merit, on, own

on its (own) merits

based on considering which person or thing has the best qualities Judge the product on its own merits and not on any advertising claims.

See also: merit, on

on the merits

based on the qualities of someone or something, or on the facts of a situation The mayor makes job appointments only on the merits.

Usage notes: used especially in legal decisions: His pardon was granted solely on the merits.

See also: merit, on

on its merits

Also, on one's merits or according to one's merits . With regard only to the intrinsic quality of something or someone. For example, Who supports it doesn't matter; we have to consider the idea solely on its merits, or The agency doesn't care about her references but wants to hire candidates according to their merits . [Late 1800s]

See also: merit, on