English Reference
Idiom idiom

come to a sticky end


To die unpleasantly due to one's actions.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The villain will come to a sticky end.

CONTEXTUAL

If he keeps stealing from dangerous people, he will surely come to a sticky end.

COMPLEX

The corrupt official ignored every warning, seemingly unaware that his reckless greed would eventually lead him to come to a sticky end.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all ends up

    Completely; totally.

  2. 02

    appetite comes with eating

    Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.

  3. 03

    arse end of nowhere

    A very remote place.

  4. 04

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  5. 05

    big end of town

    The top end of town.

  6. 06

    bitter end

    The end of a long and difficult process.

  7. 07

    blow to kingdom come

    To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).

  8. 08

    burn that bridge when one comes to it

    To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.

Last updated August 10, 2026