get the last laugh

To obtain victory or vindication in the face of someone else's doubt, derision, or mockery. After so many people dismissed her dream of becoming an actress, the global superstar has truly gotten the last laugh. Everyone at my old job laughed at me for pursuing a career in making games for cell phones. But I got the last laugh—my very first game made nearly $4.5 million. Did you see the massive contract that pitcher just signed? It looks like he got the last laugh on all the people who said he was washed up.