Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

sow the wind, reap the whirlwind

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.89 in modern English

Syllables: sow the wind, reap the whirl-wind
IPA

51

Scrabble Score

26

Letters

2

Syllables

13

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

Every decision has consequences; a person's actions will come back to them; if one starts trouble or takes actions in spite of the discontent they cause, one will incur negative consequences.

Example Sentences

"Before the attack started, Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, decried efforts by his fellow Republicans to overturn the results of the election. But his eloquence was the very definition of a gesture both too little and too late. They who sow the wind, reap the whirlwind."

Etymology

A reference to Hosea 8:7.

Inflected Forms

sow the wind and reap the whirlwind (alternative) reap the whirlwind (alternative)

Phrases

get out what one puts in

Frequently Paired Words

get out what one puts in

Synonyms

what goes around comes around reap what you sow

Questions

What does sow the wind, reap the whirlwind mean?: Every decision has consequences; a person's actions will come back to them; if one starts trouble or takes actions in spite of the discontent they cause, one will incur negative consequences.
Where does sow the wind, reap the whirlwind come from?: A reference to Hosea 8:7.

How to pronounce sow the wind, reap the whirlwind

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