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HSS Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary

(What) Goes Around Comes Around

I've used "(What) goes around comes around" for both good or bad. My friend from Scotland insists that I only use that expression for bad. He is like if you do something bad to someone, you will get something bad at a later time from someone else. But I object to that. It could be used for something good that will eventually come back to you. Please someone clarify for me.

Hiro/ Sendai, Japan
  

Top answer

I agree that it could be used for beneficial events also; but I agree with your friend that it usually appears in conversations about unfortunate occurrences. It is like ' you reap what you sow '-- again, normally used for ill effects.

— Mister Micawber

  • I agree that it could be used for beneficial events also; but I agree with your friend that it usually appears in conversations about unfortunate occurrences.
  • It is like ' you reap what you sow '-- again, normally used for ill effects.
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2 Answers
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I agree that it could be used for beneficial events also; but I agree with your friend that it usually appears in conversations about unfortunate occurrences. It is like 'you reap what you sow'-- again, normally used for ill effects.

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Right. I see it is used mostly for malignant behavior or remarks. Thanks for your endorsement, MM. By the way, I've just noticed I wrote "both good or bad." It should have been "both good AND bad."

Hiro/ Sendai, Japan
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