curses, like chickens, come home to roost
- curses, like chickens, come home to roost
Also without specific reference to curses, as in quot. 2001
c 1390 CHAUCER Parson’s Tale 1. 620 And ofte tyme swich cursynge wrongfully retorneth agayn to hym that curseth, as a bryd that retorneth agayn to his owene nest.
1592 Arden of Feversham G4 For curses are like arrowes shot upright, Which falling down light on the suters [shooter’s] head.
1810 SOUTHEY Kehama (title-page) Curses are like young chicken; they always come home to roost.
1880 S. SMILES Duty iv. Their injustice will return upon them. Curses, like chickens, come home to roost.
1932 S. GIBBONS Cold Comfort Farm vii. Curses, like rookses, flies home to nest in bosomses and barnses.
1986 Washington Post 10 July A23 The proverb teaches us that ‘curses, like chickens, come home to roost.’ The Supreme Court taught that lesson one more time last week in an opinion that combined bad law with rough justice.
2001 Spectator 8 Dec. 71 The Brits used diplomatic language which is as useless as the Draft Dodger’s oath in a court of law. As they say down on the farm, the chickens have come home to roost.
Proverbs new dictionary.
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curses, like chickens, come home to roost — ► curses, like chickens, come home to roost proverb one s past mistakes or wrongdoings will eventually be the cause of present troubles. Main Entry: ↑roost … English terms dictionary
roost — ► NOUN ▪ a place where birds or bats regularly settle to rest. ► VERB ▪ (of a bird or bat) settle or gather for rest. ● curses, like chickens, come home to roost Cf. ↑curses, like chickens, come home to roost ORIGIN Old English … English terms dictionary
roost — {{11}}roost (n.) late O.E. hrost wooden framework of a roof, perch, from a Germanic source, related to O.S. hrost, M.Du., Flem., Du. roest, roost framework of a roof, O.N. hrot, Goth. hrot roof. Exact relationship and ulterior connections unknown … Etymology dictionary
home — see home is home, as the devil said when he found himself in the Court of Session home is home though it’s never so homely home is where the heart is charity begins at home curses, like chickens, come home to roost … Proverbs new dictionary
roost — see curses, like chickens, come home to roost … Proverbs new dictionary
Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Thematic Index — absence absence makes the heart grow fonder he who is absent is always in the wrong the best of friends must part blue are the hills that are far away distance lends enchantment to the view out of sight, out of mind … Proverbs new dictionary
chicken — see don’t count your chickens before they are hatched curses, like chickens, come home to roost May chickens come cheeping … Proverbs new dictionary
Curse — Curse, n. [AS. curs. See {Curse}, v. t.] 1. An invocation of, or prayer for, harm or injury; malediction. [1913 Webster] Lady, you know no rules of charity, Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. Evil pronounced … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Not worth a curse — Curse Curse, n. [AS. curs. See {Curse}, v. t.] 1. An invocation of, or prayer for, harm or injury; malediction. [1913 Webster] Lady, you know no rules of charity, Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. Evil… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
The curse of Scotland — Curse Curse, n. [AS. curs. See {Curse}, v. t.] 1. An invocation of, or prayer for, harm or injury; malediction. [1913 Webster] Lady, you know no rules of charity, Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. Evil… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
