wage

Of a business, to maintain an employee's pay at its current rate. Is it true that the company is going to freeze our wages this year? I was hoping for a raise.

Immoral or evil behavior only yields bad outcomes or results. Sometimes used ironically or facetiously. From a line in the Bible, meaning in context that living a life of sin will only bring one death of the body and soul, while living a virtuous life as prescribed by the church will lead to eternal happiness. After setting up a business empire built around the exploitation of others, the notorious CEO is finally going to prison, his entire fortune stripped from him and his family. It's true, it seems, that the wages of sin is death. I know that all these cakes are making me gain weight, but I just can't help myself—the wages of sin, I suppose!

To initiate, engage in, or carry on some kind of prolonged attack or assault against someone, something, or some group. The country has begun waging war against its neighbors in an attempt to control the continent. The new mayor has vowed to wage a battle against drug addiction in her city. It has become clear that the organization is waging an all-out assault against those in the media trying to expose their unscrupulous practices.

Fig. to hold someone's pay at its current level. The company froze everyone's wages as soon as the economy went sour.

Prov. Doing bad things can get you in a lot of trouble. Serves him right. I always said, "The wages of sin is death."

to carry on something against someone or a group. They waged war against the aggressors. Are you still waging your battle against your father?

The results or consequences of evildoing, as in She ate all of the strawberries and ended up with a terrible stomachache-the wages of sin, no doubt . This expression comes from the New Testament, where Paul writes to the Romans (6:23): "The wages of sin is death." Today it is often used more lightly, as in the example.

The consequences for wickedness. The term comes from the Bible, where Paul writes to the Romans, “The wages of sin is death” (6:23). Although numerous later religious writers, including Mary Baker Eddy, echoed this sentiment, in the twentieth century the term is more often used ironically. “The wages of sin and the reward of virtue are not so different,” remarked Joseph Shearing (The Strange Case of Lucile Cléry, 1932), and “The wages of sin is death . . . Don’t trouble whether it’s the real sinner who gets the wages,” wrote H. C. Bailey (The Apprehensive Dog, 1942).