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]
(..) They'll never make it back alone. We don't even know if his theory is correct. Well, I know I'm not asking one of you to take him there. Each has its merits. - Last resort. Jfstooloud. Let's go. Try not to kill one. It only makes (..)2013 World War Z