Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
To serve one right — Serve Serve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Served}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Serving}.] [OE. serven, servien, OF. & F. servir, fr. L. servire; akin to servus a servant or slave, servare to protect, preserve, observe; cf. Zend har to protect, haurva protecting. Cf … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
serve one right — phrasal : to deal with one as he deserves : be the just or fitting return for what one is or does they served him right for his thieving felt that his disgrace served him right it serves you right for trying to break into line … Useful english dictionary
serve one right — {v. phr.} To be what (someone) really deserves as a punishment; be a fair exchange for what (someone) has done or said or failed to do or say. * /He failed his exam; it served him right because he had not studied./ * /Bob said it served Sally… … Dictionary of American idioms
serve one right — phrasal to be deserved … New Collegiate Dictionary
serve one right — idi to constitute someone s fair and just punishment, as for improper or stupid behavior … From formal English to slang
To serve one out — Serve Serve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Served}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Serving}.] [OE. serven, servien, OF. & F. servir, fr. L. servire; akin to servus a servant or slave, servare to protect, preserve, observe; cf. Zend har to protect, haurva protecting. Cf … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
To serve one's self of — Serve Serve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Served}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Serving}.] [OE. serven, servien, OF. & F. servir, fr. L. servire; akin to servus a servant or slave, servare to protect, preserve, observe; cf. Zend har to protect, haurva protecting. Cf … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
serve someone right — (Roget s IV) v. Syn. deserve it, have it coming*, be fair, get one s dues, be rightly served, do justice to, do the right thing by, give the devil his due*; see also deserve … English dictionary for students
serve smb right — get the punishment or results that one deserves He never studies at all so it serves him right to fail his exam … Idioms and examples
Serve — Serve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Served}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Serving}.] [OE. serven, servien, OF. & F. servir, fr. L. servire; akin to servus a servant or slave, servare to protect, preserve, observe; cf. Zend har to protect, haurva protecting. Cf.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
