do the handsome thing

do the handsome thing (third-person singular simple present does the handsome thing, present participle doing the handsome thing, simple past did the handsome thing, past participle done the handsome thing)

1. To act liberally.
   • 1851, Carpet-bag: A Literary Journal, volume 1:

     Well, thought her parents and the neighbors, the old coger is going to do the handsome thing for little Sally, perhaps when she gets married, in the shape of a nice fit-out; he may give her a snug little cottage, who knows […]