comeupance
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A deserved consequence or fate, typically one that is unpleasant: This refers to an outcome, often negative, that someone rightfully receives due to their own prior actions, behavior, or character. It implies a sense of poetic justice or retribution.
Usage
The word "comeupance" (more commonly spelled comeuppance) is used to describe a situation where someone receives what they deserve, especially after behaving arrogantly, unethically, or badly. It often carries a tone of satisfaction that justice has been served. * It is typically used with verbs like get, receive, or have. * It is often preceded by possessive determiners like his, her, their.
Examples
- The corrupt politician finally got his comeupance when he was voted out of office and later indicted.
- After years of bullying his classmates, he received his comeupance at the school reunion when everyone ignored him.
- The arrogant chef who mocked others had her comeupance when her own restaurant received terrible reviews.
Advanced Usage
- To be due for a comeupance: This phrase suggests that someone's behavior makes it likely or inevitable that they will eventually face deserved consequences.
- That boastful investor is due for a comeupance; his reckless strategy cannot last forever.
Variants and Related Words
- Comeuppance (noun): This is the standard and more frequent spelling of the word. "Comeupance" is a common variant.
- Retribution (noun): Punishment inflicted as vengeance for a wrong.
- Reckoning (noun): A time when someone is judged or called to account for their actions.
- Just deserts (noun phrase, pronounced "just desserts"): A deserved reward or punishment.
Synonyms
- Deserved fate
- Due reward
- Poetic justice
- Nemesis
Related Idioms
- To get one's just deserts: To receive the appropriate reward or punishment for one's actions.
- The thief got his just deserts with a lengthy prison sentence.
- What goes around comes around: An idiom expressing the idea that the consequences of one's actions will eventually return to them.
- He was never kind to others, and now he's lonely. What goes around comes around.
Noun
- an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved