Idioms

serve right

Also found in: Dictionary, Medical, Legal, Financial, Encyclopedia.

serve (one) right

To be or deliver the appropriate or deserved consequence(s) for one's improper actions. It serves John right that Dave threw him out of his party last night. He was acting like such a jerk! My girlfriend broke up with me after she found out I had been cheating on her. Serves me right, I suppose. You tripped while making fun of those kids? Serves you right!
See also: right, serve
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

serve someone right

[for an act or event] to punish someone fairly (for doing something). John copied off my test paper. It would serve him right if he fails the test. It'd serve John right if he got arrested.
See also: right, serve
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

serve (someone) right

To be deserved under the circumstances: Punish him; it will serve him right for what he has done to you.
See also: right, serve
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
See also:
References in periodicals archive
And the company will pay bonuses of up to pounds 7500 for those who serve right up to the point of closure.
DIAGEO'S NEW DEAL; Plant gets 6 month stay of execution: Redundancy terms to be boosted
Huw Roberts, director of Welsh Affairs for Royal Mail, said: "This fund will provide real, tangible help to sub-postmasters and the communities they serve right across all areas of Wales."
Post offices' cash boost; NEWSBRIEF
Davenport took the opening set in 27 minutes, breaking serve right at the start and again for 4-1.
[0] Tennis: Davenport in top gear
But he explained: "Basically, I didn't want to give Pete a chance to jump on my serve right at the beginning, so I was trying to kind of force it.
Red-hot Sampras cools off; TENNIS
Repeat with the remaining crepes and serve right away.
Serve a bundle of love (and caviar) on Valentine's Day
Chief Fire Officer Andy Marles said: "Our aim is to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve right across South Wales."
Fire service takes work to gay pride event
But Davenport wrapped up the opening set in 27 minutes, breaking serve right at the start and again for a 4-1 lead.
Tennis: Davenport in top gear
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.