reap what you sow

reap what you sow

to experience the results of your own actions. If we neglect our environment, we will surely reap what we sow.

Usage notes: usually used to say that something bad is likely to result from an activity

Etymology: from the idea that the quality of the seeds that you sow (= put into the ground) grow into the kind of plants that you are able to reap (= cut and collect)

See also: reap, sow