day of reckoning

day of reckoning

The day on which something must be confronted or becomes unavoidable. This term originated in the Bible. Well, it's the day of reckoning now—whether you studied or not, you have to take the test.
See also: of, reckoning
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the day of reckoning

or

a day of reckoning

The day of reckoning or a day of reckoning, is a time when people are forced to deal with an unpleasant situation which they have avoided until now. The day of reckoning has arrived. You can't keep writing checks on a bank account that doesn't have any money in it. We consulted a sympathetic attorney, and prepared for a day of reckoning. Note: According to the Bible, when the world ends, there will be a day of reckoning, when God will judge everyone's actions and send them either to heaven or hell.
See also: of, reckoning
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

day of reckoning

the time when past mistakes or misdeeds must be punished or paid for; a testing time when the degree of your success or failure will be revealed.
This expression refers to the Day of Judgement, on which, according to Christian tradition, human beings will have to answer to God for their transgressions.
See also: of, reckoning
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the day of ˈreckoning

(formal) the time when good actions, successes, etc. or bad actions, failures, etc. will be made known and punished or rewarded: Tomorrow is the day of reckoning; the accountant will tell me what my profits were and how much tax I’ll have to pay.
See also: of, reckoning
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

day of reckoning

The time when one is called to account. The idea no doubt comes from the biblical Day of Judgment, when Jesus is supposed to return to earth for God’s final sentence on mankind. The day of reckoning came to have a somewhat more benign meaning, referring to paying one’s debts, or accounting for one’s actions. The expression became common in the nineteenth century. “There will be a day of reckoning sooner or later,” wrote Dickens (Nicholas Nickleby, 1838).
See also: of, reckoning
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • make a day of (doing something)
  • make a day of doing
  • make a day of it
  • just another day at the office
  • from one day to the next
  • (just) one of those days
  • from day to day
  • breathe easily
  • day out
  • breathe freely
References in periodicals archive
A degree of readiness during some sort of day of reckoning ties all three of these readings together.
First Sunday of Advent November 28, 2010
Day of Reckoning makes for bleak reading, and it's hard not to come to the conclusion that America is on the precipice, staring into the abyss.
Day of reckoning: American elder statesman Pat Buchanan warns in his new book that America faces an uncertain future unless we take action soon to protect the country
Germany and Japan may have been lulled by their protective walls into a false sense of security and stability, little suspecting that the day of reckoning will wreak even greater havoc and make the adjustments both more urgent and more politically painful.
No trade, no gain
Sereno, however, said that those who persecuted the journalist would also have 'their day of reckoning.'
Filipinos should be proud of Maria Ressa - former CJ Sereno
THE day of reckoning is almost upon us but few recognise the potential impacts.
Heavy price to pay for dark clouds of noxious gases
"Labour has turned its back on Wales - and for that there is a day of reckoning fast approaching," he said.
Crabb warns of Labour day of reckoning
But it would do no harm to the coalition when its day of reckoning comes at the next election.
Fuel duty stabiliser is a good call
A homebred daughter of Danehill Dancer, Free Verse - whose relatives include the topically named Day Of Reckoning - makes her debut in the EBF Noseley Maiden Fillies' Stakes for Richard Hannon, with Richard Hughes in the saddle.
Homebred Verse represents Queen at Leicester
"Suspension from the council puts yet more pressure on the Libyan regime to listen to the clear message of the international community - there will be a day of reckoning and the reach of international justice is long," he said.
Britain backs Libya UN suspension
After a year overshadowed by corruption and sex scandals and an acrimonious split with former ally Gianfranco Fini that cost him a secure parliamentary majority, a day of reckoning arrived for Berlusconi after two-and-a-half years in power.
Berlusconi wins vote of confidence
Your FREE 32-page Best of Liverpool lifestyle guide Joe Riley on the day of reckoning for Gordon Brown OF LIVERPOOL MAY ISSUE 2010 Pastel shades that are good enough to eat SWEET LIKE CANDY Spruce up your outdoor space GREAT OUTDOORS Liverpool gets 'Carried' away with Sex And The City 2 THE FAB FOUR Supplement ASHION PLACES FACES FOOD BEAUTY HOMES TRAVEL WRIST BANDS FOR LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY WIN LIVERPOOL COMEDY FESTIVAL // STYLE MAKE-OVER // SALON SPOTLIGHT // CYCLING NEWS // HEALTHY EATING We enjoy a spot of afternoon tea at some of Liverpool's finest tearooms SHALL I BE MOTHER?
IN TOMORROW..
You think you can put off the day of reckoning forever, it seems the easy money will somehow always be there.
Future looks bleak for some students in post-university challenge
THERE comes a time in everyone's life when we have to face up to the truth and last Sunday was my day of reckoning.
Patsy: 'Stars' give me the blues
He's been building up for his championship in charge of the Saffrons for months now and his day of reckoning has arrived.
GAA: Let the Cul begin; CAVAN v ANTRIM ULSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL Breffni Park, 3.30pm
There is no day of reckoning when Social Security will not have the money to pay current benefits because Social Security will simply draw more money from the general federal fund (i.e., income tax revenue).
Personal savings vs. Social Security: several of the most common arguments for continuing the current Social Security program are easily countered by historical evidence, logic, and common sense