day of reckoning

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Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A time when past mistakes or wrongdoings must be accounted for and consequences faced: "day of reckoning" refers to a future moment when one is judged or punished for their actions.
    • A final day of judgment, especially in a religious context: In Christian eschatology, it is the day at the end of time when God judges all people.
Usage
  • The phrase is used to describe an inevitable future event where accountability is required.
  • It often carries a serious, ominous, or dramatic tone.
  • It can be used in both literal/religious and figurative/secular contexts.
Examples
  • Literal/Religious Context:
    • Many believers live their lives in preparation for the day of reckoning.
    • The sermon focused on the final day of reckoning described in the scriptures.
  • Figurative/Secular Context:
    • The corrupt officials knew a day of reckoning would come when their crimes were exposed.
    • The company's financial mismanagement has led them to an inevitable day of reckoning with its investors.
Advanced Usage
  • "to face the day of reckoning": to confront the consequences of one's actions.
    • After years of fraud, the CEO finally had to face the day of reckoning in court.
  • "to postpone the day of reckoning": to delay facing consequences, often making the eventual outcome worse.
    • The government's new loans only postponed the day of reckoning for the economy.
Variants and Related Words
  • Reckoning (n): The action or process of calculating, estimating, or settling accounts. It can also mean a period of judgment.
    • The reckoning for his actions was swift and severe.
  • Judgment Day (n): A synonym often used in religious contexts for the final day of divine judgment.
    • They believed Judgment Day was near.
Synonyms
  • Accountability: The fact or condition of being responsible; answerability.
  • Comeuppance: A punishment or fate that someone deserves.
  • Retribution: Punishment inflicted as vengeance for a wrong.
Related Phrases
  • Day of judgment: A direct synonym, emphasizing the final assessment.
    • He feared the day of judgment.
  • Final accounting: A more formal or financial metaphor for the same concept.
    • The audit will be the company's final accounting.
Idioms
  • The chickens come home to roost: This idiom conveys a similar idea that past mistakes will eventually have consequences, leading to one's personal "day of reckoning."
    • His lies worked for a while, but now the chickens have come home to roost.
Noun
  1. an unpleasant or disastrous destiny
    • everyone was aware of the approaching doom but was helpless to avoid it
    • that's unfortunate but it isn't the end of the world
  2. (New Testament) day at the end of time following Armageddon when God will decree the fates of all individual humans according to the good and evil of their earthly lives

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