deserve

a civil question deserves a civil answer

proverb If someone asks a reasonable question, then it warrants an answer. Often used as a reprimand. Why won't you answer me, Alice? A civil question deserves a civil answer! All Jim did was ask about your day. Come on, a civil question deserves a civil answer.
See also: answer, civil, deserve, question

deserve a medal

To warrant recognition for persevering through a challenging or tedious situation. This phrase is usually used humorously. Our realtor deserves a medal for putting up with all of our questions today.
See also: deserve, medal

deserve better from (someone or something)

To warrant better treatment from someone or something than one is currently receiving. I'm sorry, but you deserve better from your husband—he shouldn't speak to you so rudely. With how hard you work every day, you deserve better from your employer.
See also: better, deserve

deserve credit for (someone or something)

To warrant recognition for something that one has done. Howie is the one who deserves credit for how successful our presentation was—he stayed late every day this week to work on it.
See also: credit, deserve

Every Good Boy Deserves Favor

A mnemonic used in music to remember the notes on the lines of the treble clef (E, G, B, D, and F), in order from lowest to highest. If you're having trouble remembering the notes during the quiz, just remember that Every Good Boy Deserves Favor!
See also: boy, Deserve, every, favor, good

Every Good Boy Deserves Food

A mnemonic used in music to remember the notes on the lines of the treble clef (E, G, B, D, and F), in order from lowest to highest. If you're having trouble remembering the notes during the quiz, just remember that Every Good Boy Deserves Food!
See also: boy, Deserve, every, food, good

Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge

A mnemonic used in music to remember the notes on the lines of the treble clef (E, G, B, D, and F), in order from lowest to highest. If you're having trouble remembering the notes during the quiz, just remember that Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge!
See also: boy, Deserve, every, fudge, good

first deserve and then desire

proverb You must prove yourself worthy of success by working hard and conscientiously, as desire alone will not make it happen. A: "I want to be the most famous artist in the whole world!" B: "Well, you'll need to spend years honing your craft and establishing your reputation in the art world. First deserve and then desire, you know."
See also: and, deserve, desire, first

get what (one) deserves

To be deserving of the bad things that happen to one, usually because of one's past misdeeds. Don't worry, that bully will get what she deserves—just give it time.
See also: deserve, get, what

none but the brave deserve the fair

proverb Only those who are courageous and unafraid of failure will find success. It's risky, sure, but the money we stand to make from the move is too good to pass up. Come on, none but the brave deserve the fair!
See also: brave, but, deserve, fair, none

one good turn deserves another

proverb A favor or good deed should be repaid in kind. You were a lifesaver for us when we needed a babysitter last week, so I'm happy to help now—one good turn deserves another, after all.
See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

deserve better from someone or something

to merit better treatment from someone. We deserve better from someone who is supposed to be our friend. I deserve better from Bill.
See also: better, deserve

deserve credit for something

[for someone] to be owed recognition for doing something. He certainly deserves credit for the work he did on the project.
See also: credit, deserve

None but the brave deserve the fair.

Prov. Only a courageous and gallant man deserves a beautiful woman.; Only the best deserves the best. Stop making excuses and just call Gina. None but the brave deserve the fair.
See also: brave, but, deserve, fair, none

One good turn deserves another.

Prov. If someone does you a favor, you should do a favor for that person in return. Jill: Thanks for the ride. Jane: It's the least I can do after you helped me wash the car last week. One good turn deserves another. Child: I don't want to help Grandma go shopping. Father: But she helped you with your homework yesterday. And one good turn deserves another.
See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

one good turn deserves another

A favor should be returned in kind, as in I'll give you a ride next time-one good turn deserves another. This maxim was first recorded about 1400, and the converse, One bad turn deserves another, about 1500.
See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

one good turn deserves another

if someone does you a favour, you should take the chance to repay it.
See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌget what you deˈserve

,

deˌserve all/everything you ˈget

(informal) used to say that you think somebody has earned the bad things that happen to them: I’m not sorry he’s in prison. In my opinion, he got what he deserved.
See also: deserve, get, what

he, she, etc. deˌserves a ˈmedal

(spoken) used to say that you admire somebody because they have done something difficult or unpleasant: You deserve a medal for what you’ve done for him over the years.
See also: deserve, medal

ˌone good ˌturn deserves aˈnother

(saying) if somebody helps you with something, you should help them in return
See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

one good turn deserves another

I owe you for the favor you did me previously. This adage, usually said by a person returning a favor, dates as far back as ca. 1400, appearing in a Latin manuscript of that period, and by the mid-sixteenth century it was part of John Heywood’s proverb collection.
See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • a civil question deserves a civil answer
  • civil
  • burning question
  • burning question, the
  • fraid
  • afraid
  • afraid not
  • (I'm) (a)fraid not
  • rhetorical question
  • answer back
References in periodicals archive
Overall there has been an increase of 9 percentage-points in the proportion of Pakistanis think they deserve a better life while there has been a decrease of 6 percentage-points in proportion of Pakistanis who think life is fair.
2017: Nearly 3 in 5 Pakistanis (59%) continue to believe that they deserve a better life; a 9% increase since 1998: Survey - Press Release issued by Gilani Research Foundation
"We deserve nothing, only what we put into the game and what we get out.
I'M GOING IN FOR THE KILL (not the grill); CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL Andy to swap sad barbecue for Euro party
Echesa deserves justice, like anyone else, and therefore if there is any suspicion of wrongdoing, he should not be humiliated.
COMMENT: Echesa deserves fair treatment, fair hearing and the facts
While one-third of Republicans say most members of Congress deserve to serve another term, fewer Democrats and independents agree.
Anti-Incumbent Sentiment Similar to 2010 and 2014 Elections
Gemma Louise Stokes SOME people don't deserve animals.
Word on the web; A dog found 'callously dumped' on a Welsh mountain has had to be put down
In some of those games they did not deserve to win.
Losing runs can be undeserved for punters and teams alike; THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"The Rohingyas deserve citizenship in the country where they were born and have lived for generations.
Pakistani organizations to hold rally in New York in support of oppressed Rohingya Muslims
Asked if Boro deserve promotion after such an impressive Championship campaign, he said: "Of course, we deserve to be here in the same way Norwich deserve to be where they are.
By Sports Ben we deserve to get promoted
Stubbs said: "There's only one team who deserves to be in the final - unfortunately it's not us."
BAIRNS IN HAMPDEN ROBBERY; SCOTTISH ROUND-UP
Problem deciding who is deserving THE Mail's article on food banks was certainly an eye-opener in as much that it shows just how difficult it is to determine who deserves a decent rate of benefit and those that don't.
Problem deciding who is deserving [...]
The numbers of families registered and deserve the Royal grant according to the census stood at 915 distributed in three wilayats.
Computers Distribution in Ja'alan
Dad's are often underrated and deserve that bit of special attention.
MAKE YOUR DAD FEEL SPECIAL
He told a press conference: "I think the supporters deserve better, the manager (Giovanni Trapattoni) deserves better and probably most of the players deserve better, but I'm not sure the FAI deserve better.
Roy Keane has no sympathy for the Irish
He said: "I think the supporters deserve better, the manager (Giovanni Trapattoni) deserves better and probably most of the players deserve better, but I'm not sure the FAI deserve better."
Keane no sympathy for FAI