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The meaning and origin of interesting English phrases

Karma's a bitch

Meaning

This phrase asserts that negative actions will inevitably result in unpleasant consequences for the person who performed them.

Origin

The ancient concept of karma, born from Sanskrit and central to Eastern philosophies, posited a profound universal law: every action, good or bad, inevitably boomerangs back to its sender. For centuries, this idea guided spiritual journeys, but its modern, punchy street cousin emerged when it collided with everyday American slang. "A bitch"—a term often used to describe something tough, unfair, or utterly unpleasant—was the perfect, blunt instrument to convey the inescapable and often harsh retribution karma delivers. It transformed a complex spiritual doctrine into a sharp, visceral warning, giving voice to the satisfaction felt when someone gets their overdue comeuppance, often with a smirk and a knowing nod. It’s the universe’s way of settling scores, and it rarely pulls its punches.

Examples

  • After he cheated all his friends out of money, his business completely failed; truly, karma's a bitch.
  • She always treated her employees terribly, so when she was suddenly fired herself, everyone thought, 'Well, karma's a bitch!'
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