Be/do something for your sins
phrase
To experience something unpleasant or difficult as a result or punishment for something you have done wrong.
Well, I guess I'm walking home in the rain for my sins.
Often appears as...
- paying for your sins
- working for your sins
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic, Colloquial
phrase
To experience something unpleasant or difficult as a result or punishment for something you have done wrong.
Well, I guess I'm walking home in the rain for my sins.
Often appears as...
- paying for your sins
- working for your sins
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic, Colloquial
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage
The phrase is casual and might be unclear in formal or non-UK English contexts.
He's doing the extra work for his sins of missing the deadline.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
It's often used jokingly and doesn't usually imply serious wrongdoing.
I'm on dishwashing duty for my sins of cooking a bad meal.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Punishment
The 'sins' are often minor mistakes, not actual severe offenses.
I'm proofreading the whole report for my sins of typos.
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage
The phrase is casual and might be unclear in formal or non-UK English contexts.
He's doing the extra work for his sins of missing the deadline.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
It's often used jokingly and doesn't usually imply serious wrongdoing.
I'm on dishwashing duty for my sins of cooking a bad meal.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Punishment
The 'sins' are often minor mistakes, not actual severe offenses.
I'm proofreading the whole report for my sins of typos.
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Usage
The phrase is casual and might be unclear in formal or non-UK English contexts.
He's doing the extra work for his sins of missing the deadline.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
It's often used jokingly and doesn't usually imply serious wrongdoing.
I'm on dishwashing duty for my sins of cooking a bad meal.
Pro Tip 3/3Figurative Punishment
The 'sins' are often minor mistakes, not actual severe offenses.
I'm proofreading the whole report for my sins of typos.
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