poetic justice
noun
an ideal distribution of rewards and punishments such as is common in some poetry and fiction.
Nearby words
poet., poetaster, poetess, poetic, poetic edda, poetic justice, poetic licence, poetic license, poeticism, poeticize, poetics
Origin of poetic justice
First recorded in 1720–30
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for poetic justice
poetic justice
noun
fitting retribution; just deserts
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Idioms and Phrases with poetic justice
poetic justice
An outcome in which virtue is rewarded and evil punished, often in an especially appropriate or ironic manner. For example, It was poetic justice for the known thief to go to jail for the one crime he didn't commit. [Early 1700s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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