deserve

a civil question deserves a civil answer

If someone asks a reasonable question, then it warrants an answer. Often used as a reprimand. Why won't you answer me, Alice? A civil question deserves a civil answer! All Jim did was ask about your day. Come on, a civil question deserves a civil answer.

See also: answer, civil, deserve, question

deserve a medal

To warrant recognition for persevering through a challenging or tedious situation. This phrase is usually used humorously. Our realtor deserves a medal for putting up with all of our questions today.

See also: deserve, medal

deserve better from (someone or something)

To warrant better treatment from someone or something than one is currently receiving. I'm sorry, but you deserve better from your husband—he shouldn't speak to you so rudely. With how hard you work every day, you deserve better from your employer.

See also: better, deserve

deserve credit for (someone or something)

To warrant recognition for something that one has done. Howie is the one who deserves credit for how successful our presentation was—he stayed late every day this week to work on it.

See also: credit, deserve

one good turn deserves another

A favor or good deed should be repaid in kind. You were a lifesaver for us when we needed a babysitter last week, so I'm happy to help now—one good turn deserves another, after all.

See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn

get what (one) deserves

To be deserving of the bad things that happen to one, usually because of one's past misdeeds. Don't worry, that bully will get what she deserves—just give it time.

See also: deserve, get, what

deserve better from someone or something

to merit better treatment from someone. We deserve better from someone who is supposed to be our friend. I deserve better from Bill.

See also: better, deserve

deserve credit for something

[for someone] to be owed recognition for doing something. He certainly deserves credit for the work he did on the project.

See also: credit, deserve

None but the brave deserve the fair.

Prov. Only a courageous and gallant man deserves a beautiful woman.; Only the best deserves the best. Stop making excuses and just call Gina. None but the brave deserve the fair.

See also: brave, but, deserve, fair, none

One good turn deserves another.

Prov. If someone does you a favor, you should do a favor for that person in return. Jill: Thanks for the ride. Jane: It's the least I can do after you helped me wash the car last week. One good turn deserves another. Child: I don't want to help Grandma go shopping. Father: But she helped you with your homework yesterday. And one good turn deserves another.

See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn

one good turn deserves another

A favor should be returned in kind, as in I'll give you a ride next time-one good turn deserves another. This maxim was first recorded about 1400, and the converse, One bad turn deserves another, about 1500.

See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn

one good turn deserves another

if someone does you a favour, you should take the chance to repay it.

See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn

ˌget what you deˈserve

,

deˌserve all/everything you ˈget

(informal) used to say that you think somebody has earned the bad things that happen to them: I’m not sorry he’s in prison. In my opinion, he got what he deserved.

See also: deserve, get, what

he, she, etc. deˌserves a ˈmedal

(spoken) used to say that you admire somebody because they have done something difficult or unpleasant: You deserve a medal for what you’ve done for him over the years.

See also: deserve, medal

ˌone good ˌturn deserves aˈnother

(saying) if somebody helps you with something, you should help them in return

See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn