deserve



a civil question deserves a civil answer

If someone asks a reasonable question, then it warrants an answer. Often used as a reprimand. Why won't you answer me, Alice? A civil question deserves a civil answer! All Jim did was ask about your day. Come on, a civil question deserves a civil answer.

deserve better from someone or something

to merit better treatment from someone. We deserve better from someone who is supposed to be our friend. I deserve better from Bill.
See also: better, deserve

deserve credit for something

[for someone] to be owed recognition for doing something. He certainly deserves credit for the work he did on the project.
See also: credit, deserve

None but the brave deserve the fair.

Prov. Only a courageous and gallant man deserves a beautiful woman.; Only the best deserves the best. Stop making excuses and just call Gina. None but the brave deserve the fair.
See also: brave, but, deserve, fair, none

One good turn deserves another.

Prov. If someone does you a favor, you should do a favor for that person in return. Jill: Thanks for the ride. Jane: It's the least I can do after you helped me wash the car last week. One good turn deserves another. Child: I don't want to help Grandma go shopping. Father: But she helped you with your homework yesterday. And one good turn deserves another.
See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn

deserve a medal

  (humorous)
if you say that someone deserves a medal, you mean that you admire them for dealing with such a difficult situation or person for so long (never in continuous tenses; often + for ) She deserves a medal for putting up with that husband of hers.
See also: deserve

One good turn deserves another.

something that you say which means if someone does something to help you, you should do something to help them He fixed my bike so I let him use my computer. One good turn deserves another.
See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn

one good turn deserves another

A favor should be returned in kind, as in I'll give you a ride next time-one good turn deserves another. This maxim was first recorded about 1400, and the converse, One bad turn deserves another, about 1500.
See also: another, deserve, good, one, turn

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Damjan-Slovene, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian
Lili-German, French, Hungarian
Tenney-Medieval English
Itxaro-Basque
Josh[dʒɔʃ]
Biagio-Italian