reap what you sow
verb phrase · Idiom / expression C2
Plain meaning
to experience the results of your own actions, especially bad ones
Exam-register meaning
to face consequences created by one’s earlier choices or policies
In context
naturalIf you ignore every warning, you will reap what you sow.
examThe crisis suggests that institutions eventually reap what they sow when they neglect accountability.
Common collocations
reap what you soweventually reap what one has sownbegin to reap the consequences
Watch out
The idiom is usually moral in tone; avoid using it for neutral cause and effect.
Word family
sow (verb)reap (verb)