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What is the meaning of "comeuppance"?

(L. Jayanthi, Bangalore)

First, the pronunciation. The first syllable is like the word "come", the second like the word, "up". The "a" in the final syllable sounds like the "a" in "china", and the final "e" is silent. The main stress is on the second syllable "up". When you say that someone got his "comeuppance" what you mean is that the individual got what he deserved. The individual did something bad and the punishment he received was well deserved. The word has more or less the same meaning as "to get one's just desserts".

*Jai is mean to everyone. He will get his comeuppance soon.

S. UPENDRAN

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