comeuppance

Definition

Retribution or outcome that is justly deserved.

Etymology

From come up (“to appear before a judge”) + -ance.

Example Sentences

• "So when Brown's second wife turned out a reg'lar ternygrunt, I wa'n't in no wise upset, for he needed a comeuppance, an' he got it in her."
• "The Sunday edition of the principal morning paper even expressed some bitterness under the heading, "Gilded Youths of the Fin-de-Siecle"--this was considered the knowing phrase of the time, especially for Sunday supplements--and there is no doubt that from certain references in this bit of writing some people drew the conclusion that Mr. George Amberson Minafer had not yet got his comeuppance, a postponement still irritating."
• "The Yankees got their comeuppance in Milwaukee when the Braves piled up a record score for the first inning of a World Series game."

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