to good purpose

1. To effective use, as in A donation to the homeless shelter will be put to good purpose. This idiom was first recorded in 1553. Also see to little or no purpose.

Example Sentences

Others are less convinced that the technology will be put to good purpose.

From Washington Times

Warnock’s message is far from being as threatening to the American status quo as King’s was; the very act of seeking a Senate seat is an endorsement of the idea that the system can be put to good purpose.

From Slate

“The draconian quarantines imposed by the Chinese bought us time, and have we used that time to good purpose, to prepare ourselves? And the short answer is no,” said Stephen Morrison, a senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he directs the center’s global health work.

From Washington Post

She was able to take her grief and use it to good purpose.

From Washington Post

We have a governing system of checks and balances for many good reasons, and to good purpose.

From New York Times