you reap what you sow

you reap what you sow

Your actions dictate the consequences. The phrase is Biblical in origin. Of course you're being investigated for tax fraud—you've spent years trying to avoid paying them. You reap what you sow. Of course you're exhausted in class—you stay up too late! You reap what you sow.
See also: reap, sow, what
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

reap what you sow

If someone reaps what they sow, they suffer or benefit as a result of their own actions. Note: To reap a crop such as corn means to cut and gather it. Parents who neglect their children will reap what they sow. It seems to me that if we neglect these people in our society, we should expect to reap what we sow. Note: People sometimes use the more formal expressions as you sow, so shall you reap or as we sow, so shall we reap. Our future lies in our own hands. Let us ensure that it is ethical and spiritual, for without doubt as we sow so shall we reap! Note: This is based on a quotation from the Bible: `Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.' (Galatians 6:7)
See also: reap, sow, what
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

you reap what you sow

you eventually have to face up to the consequences of your actions.
This proverbial saying exists in various forms. Its biblical source is Galatians 6:7: ‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap’.
See also: reap, sow, what
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

you ˌreap what you ˈsow

(saying) you have to deal with the bad effects or results of something that you originally started: He’s so mean! When I went to him for some sympathy and understanding, all he said was ‘you reap what you sow’!
These two phrases refer to farmers cutting and collecting crops from a field.
See also: reap, sow, what
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • reap what you sow
  • as you sow, so shall you reap
  • reap
  • as a man sows, so shall he reap
  • shall
  • apple of
  • apple of eye
  • apple of my eye
  • apple of one's eye
  • (as) hard as the nether millstone
References in periodicals archive
Instead, the tone was one of 'you reap what you sow'.
QUOTES OF THE DAY
"A more cohesive strategy is needed to slay the inflation monster: you reap what you sow, if you don't plant you don't harvest," he said.
August inflation seen to hit 9-year high
However, you reap what you sow, and how true this is becoming in racing.
Reaping what you sow; LETTERS
Proverbs The world ain't flat And pigs can't fly You can't get water out of a stone You can't put a square peg in a round hole And you should never judge a book by its cover And a bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush And of course, take it easy, never rush Yet, if you're not on time you will miss the bus And it's nice to be nice honest and true God save the Queen, Red White and Blue and God bless you, Yes, absolute power corrupts absolutely And you reap what you sow And never count your chickens until they hatch, Proverbs, proverbs, forever they'll last, Be honest and kind, Yet, if we practised an eye for an eye The world would be blind.
POEM OF THE DAY
You reap what you sow, so I strive to constantly plant new seeds so I can continually enjoy the fruits of those labors.
Editor's Page
You reap what you sow, but sometimes what you sow refuses to cooperate.
Gardening hacks for sowing seeds
It is true that you reap what you sow. I pray we will reap what we sow: goodness, compassion, grace."
The Brief: Orlando Mass Shooting Reverberates Through Texas
Summary: As Lebanon comes to terms with the news that is has lost $4 billion worth of military grants when it needs it the most, it's quite clear that you reap what you sow.
The price of ingratitude
Finally, let's hope the sun shines for the visitors to Hoylake." PAUL BLACKWELL says: "You reap what you sow. An Ethiopian farmer is suing the British government because, he says, the aid we send has helped Ethiopia's brutal regime badly treat farmers.
SO WHAT HAVE THE ECHO'S CABBIE COLUMNISTS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS WEEK?
Instead of a planned , sustained energy policy based on a basket of energy sources that other countries can only dream of we have had three decades of fudge, fiddle and failure as the fat cats in the energy companies got fatter and wonderful communities built on centuries of self reliance and solidarity fell into despair and desolation It is an old saying that you reap what you sow. The sad reality it is the ordinary men and women in this nation who have paid the economic and social cost of the disastrous decisions taken by the Tories three decades ago and concluded by another Tory government today.
Blind faith in ideology; Views of the North
" You reap what you sow," said Joginder, a shopkeeper who was forced to down shutters by Kanda's supporters a few days ago.
Sirsa shedding no tears on a ' ruthless' egoist's fall from grace
You reap what you sow, so you better sow something good.
The Gardening Shelf
To the people of Blaina who voted for me, thank you very much, to the people who did not bother to vote, you reap what you sow. Watch this space.
Watch this space; COMMENT & DEBATE YOUR LETTERS TO THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER OF WALES
You reap what you sow, so you best sow what you want out of life.
The Self-Help Shelf
Philosophy of Life: You reap what you sow: treat people well and it will be returned.
10 questions; Adrienne Taylor, 41, runs www.goodfoodstore.co.uk, a food delivery service. Adrienne lives in Sefton Park with her husband, Steve Mason