When someone wrongs you, you warn them that they will pay for what they did. That they will soon face their “Day of Reckoning”, meaning that they will be held accountable for their actions and punished accordingly. The idiom also refers to the day when a person’s misdeeds are finally acknowledged and punished.
This phrase originates from the Bible, where it’s also called the “Day of Judgement”. Christians believe that on this day, the world will end. It will also mark the second return of Jesus, the Son of God, and humankind will answer to God for all the sins they have committed.
Usage with Examples
Here are some ways in which you can use the idiom “Day of Reckoning” in everyday sentences:
- Even on his day of reckoning, the serial killer showed absolutely no remorse for his crimes.
- The company had been evading taxes for a long time, but the day of reckoning came when the authorities raided their offices and seized their records.
- She had been cheating on her exams for years, but her day of reckoning arrived when she failed the final test miserably.
Also Read: 150 Common: Difficult Idioms with Examples
Day of Reckoning: Synonyms and Similar Words
Here are some words and phrases having the same meaning as the idiom “Day of Reckoning”:
- Doomsday
- Day of Doom
- Doom
- Judgement Day
- Trumpet of Doom
- Crack of Doom
- Day of Judgement
- End of the World
- Last Judgement
Also Read: Back to Basics Meaning, Synonyms, Examples
Day of Reckoning Meaning Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses the idiom “day of reckoning” correctly?
A) He was looking forward to his day of reckoning when he would finally get his promotion and raise.
B) She had been saving money for her day of reckoning when she would buy her dream house and car.
C) He had been avoiding his day of reckoning when he would have to face his angry wife and explain his affair.
D) She had been preparing for her day of reckoning when she would run a marathon and break the world record.
Correct answer: C) He had been avoiding his day of reckoning when he would have to face his angry wife and explain his affair.
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