sense of duty
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A motivating awareness of ethical responsibility; a feeling of moral obligation to do something or to act in a certain way because it is considered right or one's responsibility.
Usage
This noun phrase describes an internal feeling that compels a person to act based on what they believe is morally correct or required by their role or position. It is often used to explain why someone performs a difficult or unpleasant task.
Examples
- She visited her elderly neighbor every day out of a sense of duty.
- The soldier felt a strong sense of duty to his country.
- He completed the tedious paperwork not because he wanted to, but from a sense of duty.
Advanced Usage
- A profound/deep/strong sense of duty: Used to emphasize the intensity of the feeling.
- The captain was guided by a profound sense of duty to his crew.
- A sense of duty to/towards someone or something: Specifies the object of the obligation.
- Parents often feel a sense of duty towards their children's future.
- Do something out of/from a sense of duty: A common collocation describing the motivation for an action.
- She made the donation out of a sense of duty, not for recognition.
Variants and Related Words
- Duty (n): A moral or legal obligation; a task or action one is required to perform.
- It is your duty to report the accident.
- Sense of obligation (n): A very similar phrase, sometimes used interchangeably, though "obligation" can imply a more external or formal constraint.
- Conscientiousness (n): The quality of wishing to do one's work or duty well and thoroughly.
Synonyms
- Conscience
- Moral obligation
- Sense of responsibility
Idioms and Related Phrases
- A call of duty: Often used, especially in military or service contexts, to describe a compelling sense that one must act.
- He felt it was his call of duty to volunteer.
- To be duty-bound: To be obliged or required by duty.
- As a doctor, she felt duty-bound to help.
Noun
- a motivating awareness of ethical responsibility