The thief got his just deserts when the police caught him.
just deserts
idiomA punishment or reward that is considered to be what the recipient deserved.
After years of cheating customers, the dishonest businessman finally received his just deserts when his company collapsed.
The corrupt official, who had embezzled millions from public funds, looked stunned when the judge pronounced his sentence, as if he had never expected to face his just deserts.
Last updated April 17, 2026