deserts

Thân thiện

A person who helps others often receives their just deserts.

Definition

Noun (plural form, used with a singular or plural verb): 1. That which is deserved or merited; just reward or punishment: This refers to the appropriate consequences, whether positive or negative, that a person earns based on their actions or character.

Usage Notes

• The word "deserts" in this sense is pronounced /dɪˈzɜːrts/ (dee-ZURTS). It is crucial to distinguish it from the homograph "deserts" meaning arid regions (pronounced /ˈdɛzərts/), and from the word "desserts" (sweet foods).
• It is almost always used in the phrase "to get one's (just) deserts", meaning to receive the punishment or reward one deserves.
• It is a formal or literary term.

Examples

• The corrupt official finally got his just deserts when he was sentenced to prison.
• She worked tirelessly for the charity and has now received her deserts in the form of widespread recognition.
• In the story, the villain met with his deserts.

Advanced Usage

• The singular form "desert" (pronounced /dɪˈzɜːrt/) is archaic and rarely used in modern English. The concept is almost exclusively expressed with the plural form "deserts".
• The word carries a strong connotation of poetic justice or cosmic retribution.

Variants and Related Words

• Desert (verb, /dɪˈzɜːrt/): To abandon or leave without permission.
  • He deserted his post.
• Desert (noun, /ˈdɛzərt/): A dry, barren area of land.
  • the Sahara Desert
• Dessert (noun, /dɪˈzɜːrt/): The sweet course eaten at the end of a meal.
  • We had ice cream for dessert.

Synonyms

• Due
• Comeuppance (usually for negative deserts)
• Just reward
• Retribution (usually for negative deserts)
• Recompense

Idioms and Phrases

• To get/receive one's (just) deserts: To be rewarded or punished appropriately.
  • He thought he could cheat everyone, but in the end he got his just deserts.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved

Từ đồng nghĩa

• comeuppance
• comeupance