It would serve you right if your children never spoke to you again.
And she didn't get the promotion she'd hoped for, which served her right for being so smug.
New idioms dictionary. 2014.
serve right — serve (someone) right used to say that someone who has behaved badly deserves a particular punishment, problem, etc. “I hear his wife is divorcing him.” “It serves him right after the way he s treated her.” “He won t even talk to me.” “(It)… … Useful english dictionary
serve right — serve (you) right you deserve the punishment that you received. After the way she treated him, it would serve her right if he left her. Usage notes: often said with an attitude of pleasure because someone you do not like is suffering … New idioms dictionary
serve\ right — v. phr. To be what (someone) really deserves as a punishment; be a fair exchange for what (someone) has done or said or failed to do or say. He failed his exam; it served him right because he had not studied. Bob said it served Sally right when… … Словарь американских идиом
right — See: ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT FOR YOU, DEAD TO RIGHTS, GIVE ONE S RIGHT ARM, HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE, IN THE RIGHT, PLAY ONE S CARDS RIGHT, PUT TO RIGHTS or SET TO RIGHTS, SERVE RIGHT, TO RIGHTS … Dictionary of American idioms
right — See: ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT FOR YOU, DEAD TO RIGHTS, GIVE ONE S RIGHT ARM, HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE, IN THE RIGHT, PLAY ONE S CARDS RIGHT, PUT TO RIGHTS or SET TO RIGHTS, SERVE RIGHT, TO RIGHTS … Dictionary of American idioms
right — See: all right, all right for you, dead to rights, give one s right arm, heart in the right place, in the right, play one s cards right, put to rights or set to rights, serve right, to rights … Словарь американских идиом
serve — See: first come, first served, serve right … Словарь американских идиом
serve someone right — (of something unpleasant) to be no more than deserved • • • Main Entry: ↑serve * * * be someone s deserved punishment or misfortune it would serve you right if Jeff walked out on you * * * serve someone right see ↑serve, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑ … Useful english dictionary
Serve — Serve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Served}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Serving}.] [OE. serven, servien, OF. & F. servir, fr. L. servire; akin to servus a servant or slave, servare to protect, preserve, observe; cf. Zend har to protect, haurva protecting. Cf.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
serve someone right — serve (someone) right if something bad that happens serves someone right, they deserve it. It would serve you right if your children never spoke to you again. And she didn t get the promotion she d hoped for, which served her right for being so… … New idioms dictionary
