Serve right Meaning in English
expression
ˈsɝv/ /ˈɹaɪt
SURV RYT
sˈɜːv/ /ɹˈaɪt
SURV RYT
Definition
To say that someone deserves what happened to them, usually when a bad outcome follows their own actions.
Usage & Nuances
Always informal and often said with a critical or slightly unsympathetic tone. Typical structure: 'It serves you right' or 'That serves him/her right.' Used only after a negative outcome caused by the person's choices.
Spanish: merecido - estar bien empleadoPortuguese (BR): bem feito - merecePortuguese (PT): bem feito - mereceChinese (Simplified): 活该 - 咎由自取Chinese (Traditional): 活該 - 咎由自取Hindi: ठीक ही हुआ - सज़ा मिलनाArabic: استحق ما جرى له - جزاءً لهBengali: ঠিক হয়েছে - উপযুক্ত শাস্তি হয়েছেRussian: так ему и надо - получить по заслугамJapanese: 自業自得 - 当然の報いVietnamese: đáng đời - đáng lắmKorean: 고소하다 - 인과응보다Turkish: oh olsun - hak ettiUrdu: ٹھیک ہی ہوا - اس کے ساتھ جو ہونا چاہیے تھاIndonesian: pantas saja - memang layak
Example Sentences
It serves him right for lying to his friends.
basic
If you don't study, failing the test serves you right.
basic
Stealing is wrong, so getting caught serves her right.
basic
He laughed when I fell, but it served him right when he slipped too.
natural
Did your brother eat your cake? Well, that serves you right for leaving it out!
natural
Forget your umbrella again? It serves you right for not checking the weather.
natural