he laughs best who laughs last

he laughs best who laughs last

proverb The person who has the final, decisive move or victory in a feud, quarrel, or competition is the only one who is truly successful. He may have won this round, but I'm going to come back in the final. He laughs best who laughs last. I've waited years for revenge for what you did to me. And now, your entire empire is in tatters. He laughs best who laughs last.
See also: he, last, laugh, who
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • teach a man to fish
  • it takes a village
  • village
  • a man is judged by the company he keeps
  • a man is known by the company he keeps
  • best-laid plans go astray, the
  • the best-laid plans
  • the best-laid plans go astray
  • the best-laid plans of mice and men
  • a Jack of all trades is a master of none
References in classic literature
He laughs best who laughs last. Cromwell is mighty, Mazarin is tricky, but I would rather have to do with them than with the late Monsieur Mordaunt."
Twenty Years After