sow the wind, (and) reap the whirlwind

sow the wind, (and) reap the whirlwind

proverb Foolish or thoughtless actions will have larger, more dire consequences than you may anticipate, which you will ultimately have to confront or deal with. The expression originated in the Bible, in Hosea 8:7: "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." These bankers were worried first and foremost with making as much money as they possibly could, consequences be damned. Well, sow the wind, reap the whirlwind. I just think it makes no sense to throw away such a good job to pursue this vanity project of yours. It's your decision in the end, but sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.

See also: reap, sow, whirlwind

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

sow the wind and reap the whirlwind

Prov. to start some kind of trouble that grows much larger than you planned. (Biblical.) our enemy has sown the wind by provoking this war, and they will reap the whirlwind when we vanquish them.

See also: and, reap, sow, whirlwind, wind

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.