Do good vs Do well

Posted by James Briggs on March 10, 2005

In the UK we often believe that praise in the US can be described as 'he done good'. Whether this is true or not, some football managers mimic this and describe a player who's had a fine game by saying 'the boy's done good'. However, the great majority of UK English speakers would say 'the boy's done well', since there is a fundamental difference between the two expressions. 'Do well' is to excell at a task. 'Do good' is to perform some worthwhile action, such as a charitable act.
So, is our UK perception of US 'good' correct? If so, how is the charitable meaning of 'good' expressed?

• Do good vs Do well Bob 10/March/05
  • I don't know... Word Camel 10/March/05
    • I don't know... correcting typo Word Camel 10/March/05
      • I don't know... correcting typo Bob 10/March/05
        • To do well by doing good Brian from Shawnee 10/March/05
          • He done good. Smokey Stover 11/March/05
            • All well and good Word Camel 11/March/05
              • All well and good Bruce Kahl 11/March/05
                • All well and good Word Camel 11/March/05