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The chickens come home to roost Meaning in English

expression

thuh CHIK-enz KUHM HOHM to ROOST
thuh CHIK-inz kum HOHM too ROOST

Definition

This expression means that bad actions or mistakes will eventually have negative consequences for the person who did them.

Usage & Nuances

Often used in moral contexts to warn about consequences of bad choices; primarily informal and common in spoken language. Can refer to either personal or large-scale situations. Compare to 'you reap what you sow.'

Example Sentences

He lied to his friends, and now the chickens have come home to roost.

basic

If you break the rules, the chickens will come home to roost.

basic

The chickens come home to roost when people are dishonest.

basic

After years of cheating customers, the company's chickens finally came home to roost.

natural

People used to ignore environmental issues, but now the chickens are coming home to roost.

natural

Don’t be surprised by the backlash — sometimes the chickens come home to roost.

natural