# just deserts

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/just-deserts
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A punishment or reward that is considered to be what the recipient deserved.

## Examples

- The thief got his just deserts when the police caught him.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.