See Also: deserve(dictionary)
deserve(dictionary)

deserve (oh)



[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin deservire 'to serve very keenly', from servire 'to serve']
to have earned something by good or bad actions or behaviour
::What have I done to deserve this?
deserve to do sth
::We didn't deserve to win.
richly/fully/thoroughly etc deserve sth
::the success he so richly deserves
::I'm sorry for the kids. They deserve better (=deserve to be treated in a better way) .
deserve a rest/break/holiday etc
::I think we deserve a rest after all that hard work.
::Ledley deserves a place in the team.
::Paula deserves a special mention for all the help she has given us.
::I would never hit anyone, even if they deserved it.
::What has he done to deserve this punishment ?
deserve all/everything you get
(=deserve any bad things that happen to you)
::He deserves all he gets for being so dishonest.
::People who are sent to prison for drunk-driving get what they deserve .
deserve consideration/attention etc
if a suggestion, idea, or plan deserves consideration, attention etc, it is good enough to be considered, paid attention to etc
-synonym merit merit
::This proposal deserves serious consideration.
sb deserves a medal
spoken used to say that you admire the way someone dealt with a situation or problem
somebody deserves a medal for
::You deserve a medal for putting up with Ian's constant demands.