reward

Desert and reward seldom keep company.

Prov. If you deserve a reward, you are not necessarily going to get it. Jill: I worked so hard on that project, and Fred is taking all the credit for it. Jane: You know how it goes; desert and reward seldom keep company.

See also: and, company, desert, keep, seldom

get one's just deserts and get one's just reward(s); get one's

[specified by context] to get what one deserves. I feel better now that Jane got her just deserts. She really insulted me. The criminal who was sent to prison got his just rewards. You'll get yours!

See also: desert, get, just

go to one's (just) reward

Euph. to die. Let us pray for our departed sister, who has gone to her just reward. Bill: How's your grandma these days? Tom: She went to her reward last winter, may she rest in peace.

reward someone for something

to give someone a prize or a bonus for doing something. I would like to reward you for your honesty. She wanted to reward herself for her hard work, so she treated herself to a massage.

reward someone with something

to honor someone with a gift of something. She rewarded the helpful child with a chocolate chip cookie. He rewarded himself with a night on the town.

Virtue is its own reward.

Prov. You should not be virtuous in hopes of getting a reward, but because it makes you feel good to be virtuous. Bill: If I help you, will you pay me? Fred: Virtue is its own reward.

See also: virtue

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get your just deserts

if you get your just deserts, something bad happens to you that you deserve because of something bad you have done Did you read about the burglar whose own house was broken into? He really got his just deserts.

See be just what the doctor ordered, just gay enough, be just a pretty face, Just my luck!

See also: desert, get, just