OpenEtymology

comeuppance

UKkʌmˈʌpənsUSkʌmˈʌpəns

Meaning

1n.

应得的惩罚或报应(尤指因傲慢或不当行为而自食其果)

Structure

word structure
1
come
来
+
2
up
向上
+
3
ance
名词后缀

Usage

The arrogant bully finally got his comeuppance when he was defeated by the new kid.

那个傲慢的恶霸最终被新来的孩子打败,得到了应得的报应。

After years of cheating his business partners, he received his comeuppance in the form of a massive lawsuit.

在欺骗他的商业伙伴多年后,他得到了一场大规模诉讼的报应。

It was a satisfying moment of comeuppance when the liar's story was exposed in front of everyone.

当骗子的谎言在众人面前被揭穿时,那真是大快人心的报应时刻。

Etymology

该词是19世纪美国英语的产物,由短语“come up”(上来、出现)结合名词后缀“-ance”构成,字面意为“(某事)到来”。它生动地描绘了“行为所带来的后果最终找上门来”的意象,专指因自身行为(尤其是傲慢或错误行为)而必然得到的惩罚或报应,强调了因果报应的必然性和戏剧性。

Analysis

Structure
comeuppance=come来+up向上+ance名词后缀

• come: 源自古英语 cuman,意为“来,到来”。

• up: 源自古英语 up,意为“向上,在上”,此处用以加强语气。

• ance: 源自拉丁语 antia,经由法语 ance 进入英语,作为名词后缀,表示状态、性质或动作。

词源溯源:该词是19世纪美国英语的产物,由短语“come up”(上来、出现)结合名词后缀“-ance”构成,字面意为“(某事)到来”。它生动地描绘了“行为所带来的后果最终找上门来”的意象,专指因自身行为(尤其是傲慢或错误行为)而必然得到的惩罚或报应,强调了因果报应的必然性和戏剧性。

Comeuppance Meaning, Examples & Word Origin | OpenEtymology