What does “Curses like chickens come home to roost.” mean?

"Curses like chickens come home to roost" means that negative actions or words directed at others will eventually come back to the person who initiated them. It implies that people should be mindful of the consequences of their actions and words towards others.

What context can I use the in?

Example

He thought he could get away with spreading rumors about his colleagues, but curses like chickens come home to roost. Eventually, his reputation was tarnished.

Example

She never realized that her hurtful comments would have consequences. Little did she know that curses like chickens come home to roost. Eventually, her own words came back to haunt her.

Example

He thought he could cheat his way to success without any repercussions. However, curses like chickens come home to roost. Eventually, his dishonesty caught up with him

Is “Curses like chickens come home to roost.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Curses like chickens come home to roost.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Curses like chickens come home to roost.” effectively in context?

You can use "Curses like chickens come home to roost" to remind someone that negative actions or words directed at others will eventually have consequences for the person who initiated them. It emphasizes the idea of karma or the notion that what goes around comes around. For example, if a friend is gossiping about others, you might say, 'Be careful with your words. Remember, curses like chickens come home to roost.'

1Personal Relationships
He thought he could get away with spreading rumors about his colleagues, but curses like chickens come home to roost. Eventually, his reputation was tarnished.
2Self-Reflection
She never realized that her hurtful comments would have consequences. Little did she know that curses like chickens come home to roost. Eventually, her own words came back to haunt her.
3Ethics and Morality
He thought he could cheat his way to success without any repercussions. However, curses like chickens come home to roost. Eventually, his dishonesty caught up with him.

Similar phrases to “Curses like chickens come home to roost.”:

What goes around comes around

The consequences of one's actions will eventually catch up with them

Example

He thought he could cheat his way to success, but what goes around comes around. Eventually, his dishonesty caught up with him.

You reap what you sow

You will experience the consequences of your actions

Example

She spread negativity, but you reap what you sow. Eventually, her own negativity affected her.

Karma will catch up with you

The consequences of one's actions will come back to them

Example

He thought he could harm others without consequences, but karma will catch up with him. Eventually, he faced the repercussions.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Curses like chickens come home to roost.” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Curses like chickens come home to roost" is unknown.

Is “Curses like chickens come home to roost.” common in everyday conversation?

The phrase "Curses like chickens come home to roost" is not as common in everyday conversation compared to other proverbs. However, it is still used occasionally to convey the idea of the consequences of negative actions or words.

What tone does “Curses like chickens come home to roost.” have?

"Curses like chickens come home to roost" conveys a tone of warning and caution. It serves as a reminder that one should be mindful of their actions and words towards others, as they may have repercussions in the future.

Can “Curses like chickens come home to roost.” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "Curses like chickens come home to roost" is more commonly used in informal settings. It is often used in conversations among friends, family, or acquaintances. However, it can also be used in more formal situations to emphasize the importance of ethical behavior and accountability.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

The phrase is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He spread false rumors, but curses like chickens come home to roost.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Remember, curses like chickens come home to roost!' to imply the consequences of negative actions.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

actions have consequences
you get what you give
the boomerang effect
retribution is inevitable
the law of cause and effect

Antonyms

let bygones be bygones
forgive and forget
turn the other cheek
give someone a second chance
break the cycle