The five contestants will be judged 'on their own merits'. [=they will be judged by looking at their skills and their good and bad qualities]
Hiring decisions are based entirely 'on merit'. [=people are hired because they have the skills to do the job well]
We should consider each idea 'on its merits'. [=we should consider the good and bad things about each idea]
(..) He's a libertarian drug fiend - marinating in a mobile home. - Shh. I didn't agree with President Reagan on many things, but there was some merit to the notion of trickle-down economics, and I feel there is much merit to the idea of trickle-down diplomacy. (..)2013 TvShow: House of Cards Title: Chapter 2 Season: 1 Episode 2