reap the whirlwind

reap the whirlwind

To suffer the negative consequences of one's actions. This phrase originated in the Bible. If you don't do your homework now, you'll reap the whirlwind when you have to take your final exam.
See also: reap, whirlwind
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

reap the whirlwind

LITERARY
If someone reaps the whirlwind, they suffer now because of mistakes that they made in the past. Note: To reap a crop such as corn means to cut and gather it. The Government refused to tackle the problem at the time and it is now reaping the whirlwind. Note: This expression comes from the proverb sow the wind and reap the whirlwind and people sometimes use other parts of the whole expression. The Prime Minister is now reaping the economic whirlwind he helped to sow. Note: This is a quotation from the Bible. It refers to the punishment of the Israelites for disobeying God: `For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.' (Hosea 8:7)
See also: reap, whirlwind
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

reap the whirlwind

suffer serious consequences as a result of your actions.
This expression alludes to the proverb they that sow the wind shall reap the whirlwind , which is taken from Hosea 8:7.
1998 Spectator A [political] party that thought all it had to do to keep Scotland happy was deliver devolution is instead reaping the whirlwind it sowed in the Eighties.
See also: reap, whirlwind
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

(sow the wind,) reap the ˈwhirlwind

(especially American English) suffer as a result of your actions: We will reap the whirlwind of those actions for years, if not decades, to come.This expression comes from the Bible. A whirlwind is a strong wind that spins very fast and causes a lot of damage.
See also: reap, whirlwind
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

reap the whirlwind

Suffer the consequences. Hosea 8:7's “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” has come to mean that evil deeds in the past will come back to haunt you. Another biblical verse with a similar admonition is Galatians 6:7's “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (used as the expression, “you'll reap what you sow”), and Proverbs 11:29's “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind.” As yet another indication how popular references have shifted from the sacred to the profane, the contemporary equivalent is “Be aware of what you do, or else it may come back and bite you in the ass.”
See also: reap, whirlwind
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • whirlwind
  • chickens come home to roost
  • chickens come home to roost, one's
  • roost
  • down the line
  • down the pike
  • the dog ate my homework
  • dog ate my homework
  • dog ate my homework, the
  • get on top of (one)
References in periodicals archive
If we shrug and turn away we will reap the whirlwind. All of us.
STOTTY ON SUNDAY : A deluge to come
They were, he observed grimly, sowing the wind and would reap the whirlwind. Churchill praised him as a man who would not flag or fail, someone who would fight to the finish whatever the cost.
BOMBER HARRIS - SCAPEGOAT OR HERO?
Those who sow the wind reap the whirlwind! Not popular to say these things, but, alas, very necessary.
THEME FOR THE DAY
It is the under-50s who will have to reap the whirlwind.
No reason, no logic, just fear for future
Before the show, Tytan promised a few new songs and The Cradle and Reap The Whirlwind, did not disappoint featuring hard-edged riffs and soaring melodies that slipped seamlessly among old classics.
Heavy metal heaven; BROFEST AT NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY
Unfortunately, all of us will have to reap the whirlwind.
AS the "last US combat troops" [...]
If his colleagues do not, then they will reap the whirlwind.
Keep hold of Wenger and there's hope; ARSENAL
There is not a shadow of doubt, which even the stupidest in our society can surely understand, that our grandchildren will inevitably reap the whirlwind of our present self-centred profligacy.
YourLETTERS: Sad legacy
Once again blood flows in the streets of Britain As it flowed so many times before Are we now to reap the whirlwind Of this Middle Eastern war?
Your Poem: Never Surrender
The party must now reap the whirlwind it created for a generation to come.
Huw Lewis
Pity no-one thought of warning parents buying mobile phones for their kids that they would ultimately reap the whirlwind.
If only ET had taken the mobiles home; AY UP IT'S EVANS
Today there is much evidence that such prophetic voices were right; that we have sown the wind, and now we reap the whirlwind. What is that whirlwind?
Of a whirlwind, a breakdown, and a rock
If we fail to pay attention to such behaviour it will only increase and we shall all reap the whirlwind.
THEME FOR THE DAY
DURING the Second World War Arthur 'Bomber 'Harris said the Germans had 'sown the wind but would reap the whirlwind'.
The religious have a lot to answer for
GIANFRANCO ZOLA will order his West Ham players to carry the game to Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight - or reap the whirlwind.
ZOLA GOING FOR BROKE