damn the consequences

A phrase used when one intends to do something despite it likely having a negative effect or outcome. They decided to party the night before the exam and damn the consequences. You know what? I'm buying myself the fancy-but-impractical car of my dreams, and damn the consequences. Though his initial attitude was, "I'm skipping school to go to that concert and damn the consequences!," he was not exactly thrilled when the consequences (detention) came down upon him.

damn the expense

A phrase used when one intends to do something with little concern for how much it will cost. It's our baby's first birthday party, so we're getting a pony and damn the expense! You know what? I'm buying myself the fancy convertible car of my dreams, and damn the consequences. If you're trying to run a successful business, "damn the expense" is a phrase that probably shouldn't come out of your mouth.

face the consequences

To experience negative repercussions for one's actions or words, especially those that one would expect to incur punishment. I told you not to try to sneak in, and now that you've been caught, you're just going to have to face the consequences. If we do nothing to curb this pollution, I guarantee we will face the consequences in the future. Now, you're going to have to face the consequences for your poor judgment—expulsion from school.

hang the consequences

A phrase used to encourage action and dismiss or ignore potential risks. Primarily heard in UK. We must pass this legislation at once and hang the consequences—people's lives are at stake! The group's approach has basically always been "Get to Mars and hang the consequences!" It could end up being a colossal waste of money, but you can't help but wonder if they might actually pull it off. Though his initial attitude was, "I'm skipping school to go to that concert and hang the consequences!," he was not exactly thrilled when the consequences (detention) came down upon him.

in consequence

As a result (of something); therefore; thus. I heard you borrowed my car without permission. In consequence, you're grounded for two weeks. She didn't study for the exam and, in consequence, she failed. What did she think was going to happen? You cheated on your girlfriend, and, in consequence, she broke up with you. Bottom line: you're an idiot.

See also: consequence

in consequence of (something)

As a result (of something). I heard you borrowed my car without permission. In consequence of your actions, you're grounded for two weeks. She didn't study for the exam and, in consequence of that, she failed. What did she think was going to happen? You cheated on your girlfriend, and, in consequence of that, she broke up with you. Bottom line: you're an idiot.

of consequence

Important; significant; having value. We only have a limited amount of time in which to conduct this meeting, so let's please stick to matters of consequence. He was the only person of consequence at the party, so once he left, I felt there was no longer a reason to stay.

of little consequence

Not very important; having very little significance or value. The company makes so much money that the flop of this product on the market is actually of very little consequence to them. I'm of so little consequence in our organization that I doubt anyone would notice if I just stopped coming in one day.

of no consequence

Completely unimportant; having no significance or value. This issue is really of no consequence to the board, so let's please skip it for the sake of everyone's time. Being a part of a large corporation can often leave you feeling like you're of no consequence.

pay the consequences

To face, accept, or suffer repercussions for one's actions or words, especially that which would be expected to incur punishment. (A less common version of "suffer the consequences.") After three nights of heavy drinking, I'm really going to be paying the consequences come Monday morning! With the judge handing down the maximum possible sentence, this monster will be paying the consequences for his crimes for the rest of his life.

suffer the consequences

To experience negative repercussions for one's actions or words, especially those that one would expect to incur punishment. I told you not to try to sneak in, and now that you've been caught, you're just going to have to suffer the consequences. If we do nothing to curb this pollution, I guarantee we will suffer the consequences in the future.

in consequence (of something)

as a result of something; because of something. In consequence of the storm, there was no electricity. The wind blew down the wires. In consequence, we had no electricity.

See also: consequence

in consequence

As a result, therefore, as in She was away for years and in consequence has few friends here. The prepositional phrase in consequence of means "as a result of," as in In consequence of this finding, there is sure to be further investigation. [Late 1600s]

See also: consequence

of consequence

Important, as in For all matters of consequence we have to consult the board, or Only scientists of consequence have been invited to speak. This idiom was first recorded in 1489.

in ˈconsequence (of something)

(formal) as a result of something: The child was born deformed in consequence of an injury to its mother.

See also: consequence

ˈdamn the consequences, expense, etc.

(spoken) used to say that you are going to do something even though you know it may be expensive, have bad results, etc: Let’s celebrate and damn the expense!

in consequence

As a result; consequently.

See also: consequence

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.

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