Word: Poetic Justice
Definition:
"Poetic justice" is a noun that refers to a situation where someone gets what they deserve in a way that is often ironic or fitting. It usually means that good people are rewarded for their good actions, while bad people are punished for their bad actions.
Usage Instructions:
You can use "poetic justice" to describe stories, movies, or real-life situations where the outcome feels fair and satisfying, especially when it involves irony. It is often used in discussions about literature, film, or moral lessons.
Example:
In the movie, the villain who cheated everyone ended up losing everything in the end. That was an example of poetic justice because he got what he deserved.
Advanced Usage:
In literature, authors often use poetic justice to reinforce moral lessons. For instance, if a character who is greedy ends up losing their wealth because of their greed, it can be seen as poetic justice.
Word Variants:
- There aren't direct variants of "poetic justice," but you might find related phrases like "ironic justice" or "moral justice" in discussions.
Different Meaning:
While "poetic justice" primarily refers to this concept of fairness and irony, it can sometimes be used more broadly to describe any situation where the outcome is satisfying.
Synonyms:
- Ironic justice - Moral justice - Karma (though "karma" has a broader spiritual meaning)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that mean exactly the same as "poetic justice," but you might hear phrases like "what goes around, comes around," which reflects a similar idea of fairness and consequences.
Summary:
"Poetic justice" is a way to talk about situations where people receive rewards or punishments that are fitting to their actions, often with a twist of irony.