11 ADV [ADV n] You use just in expressions such as just a minute and just a moment to ask someone to wait for a short time. [SPOKEN ] □ 'Let me in, Di.'—'Okay. Just a minute.'
12 ADV [ADV n] You can use just in expressions such as just a minute and just a moment to interrupt someone, for example in order to disagree with them, explain something, or calm them down. [SPOKEN ] □ Well, now just a second, I don't altogether agree with the premise.
13 ADV [with neg] You can use just with negative question tags, for example ' isn't he just? ' and ' don't they just! ', to say that you agree completely with what has been said. [BRIT , SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ 'That's crazy,' I said.—'Isn't it just?' he said. □ 'The manager's going to have some tough decisions to make.'—'Won't he just.'
14 ADV [ADV before v] If you say that you can just see or hear something, you mean that it is easy for you to imagine seeing or hearing it. □ I can just hear her telling her friends, 'Well, I blame his mother!'
15 ADV You use just to mean exactly, when you are specifying something precisely or asking for precise information. □ There are no statistics about just how many people won't vote. □ My arm hurts too, just here.
16 ADV [ADV n] You use just to emphasize that a particular thing is exactly what is needed or fits a particular description exactly. [EMPHASIS ] □ Kiwi fruit are just the thing for a healthy snack. □ 'Let's get a coffee somewhere.'—'I know just the place.'
17 ADV [ADV like n, ADV as adj/adv, ADV n] You use just in expressions such as just like , just as…as , and just the same when you are emphasizing the similarity between two things or two people. [EMPHASIS ] □ Behind the facade they are just like the rest of us. □ He worked just as hard as anyone.
18 PHRASE You use just about to indicate that what you are talking about is so close to being the case that it can be regarded as being the case. □ What does she read? Just about everything.
19 PHRASE You use just about to indicate that what you are talking about is in fact the case, but only by a very small degree or amount. □ We've got just about enough time to get there.
20 not just → see not
21 just now → see now
22 only just → see only
23 it just goes to show → see show
➋ just /dʒʌ st/
1 ADJ If you describe a situation, action, or idea as just , you mean that it is right or acceptable according to particular moral principles, such as respect for all human beings. [FORMAL ] □ In a just society there must be a system whereby people can seek redress through the courts. ● just|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ No government can justly claim authority unless it is based on the will of the people.
2 to get your just deserts → see desert
jus|tice ◆◆◇ /dʒʌ st I s/ (justices )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Justice is fairness in the way that people are treated. □ He has a good overall sense of justice and fairness. □ There is no justice in this world!
2 N‑UNCOUNT The justice of a cause, claim, or argument is its quality of being reasonable, fair, or right. □ [+ of ] We are a minority and must win people round to the justice of our cause.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Justice is the legal system that a country uses in order to deal with people who break the law. □ Many in Toronto's black community feel that the justice system does not treat them fairly.
4 N‑COUNT A justice is a judge. [AM ] □ [+ on ] Thomas will be sworn in today as a justice on the Supreme Court.
5 N‑TITLE Justice is used before the names of judges. □ A preliminary hearing was due to start today before Mr Justice Hutchison, but was adjourned.
6 → see also miscarriage of justice
7 PHRASE If a criminal is brought to justice , he or she is punished for a crime by being arrested and tried in a court of law. □ They demanded that those responsible be brought to justice.
8 PHRASE To do justice to a person or thing means to reproduce them accurately and show how good they are. □ The photograph I had seen didn't do her justice.
9 PHRASE If you do justice to someone or something, you deal with them properly and completely. □ [+ to ] No one article can ever do justice to the topic of fraud.
10 PHRASE If you do yourself justice , you do something as well as you are capable of doing it. □ I don't think he could do himself justice playing for England.
11 PHRASE If you describe someone's treatment or punishment as rough justice , you mean that it is not given according to the law. [BRIT ] □ Trial by television makes for very rough justice indeed. SYNONYMS justice NOUN 1
fairness: …concern about the fairness of the election campaign.
equity: We base this call on grounds of social justice and equity.
impartiality: …a justice system lacking impartiality by democratic standards.
Ju s|tice of the Pea ce (Justices of the Peace )
1 N‑COUNT In Britain, a Justice of the Peace is a person who is not a lawyer but who can act as a judge in a local criminal law court. The abbreviation JP is also used.