Comeuppance

/kʌˈmʌp.əns/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A punishment or fate that someone deserves; the return of good or bad behavior.

After years of deceit and manipulation, his comeuppance finally arrived when the truth came out.

A deserved rebuke or punishment.

Her rude remarks finally led to a comeuppance when her colleagues decided to speak up.

Retribution or consequence for one's actions, often used in a moral context.

The villain in the story got his comeuppance at the end when the hero confronted him.

The term 'comeuppance' is believed to be a blend of 'come up' (to face consequences) and ‘uppance’, which means an elevation or a rise.

getting one's comeuppance:

Receiving a punishment that is deserved.

the tables have turned:

A situation has changed so that the person who was previously dominant is now on the receiving end.

justice is served:

A phrase used when it is believed that a fair punishment has been delivered.

Karma catching up

He thought he could get away with it, but karma caught up with him and he got his comeuppance.

Getting what you deserve

She was always so smug, but now she's facing her comeuppance.