[come] (home|back) to roost
1
to experience the negative consequences or effects of one's past actions or decisions
The phrase "come home to roost" has its origin in the behavior of chickens, which return to their roosts or coops at night. In an idiomatic sense, it is used to describe the consequences of one's actions catching up with them, often with a negative implication that mistakes or misdeeds will have repercussions in the future.
- He ignored the warning signs and now his poor health habits are coming home to roost.
- His reckless behavior finally came home to roost when he got arrested for drunk driving.
- The company's unethical practices finally caught up with them, and the chickens came home to roost when they lost a major lawsuit.
- She thought she could avoid responsibility, but her past actions came back to roost, affecting her personal and professional life.
- Politicians who promise more than they can deliver will find that their unfulfilled pledges come home to roost in the form of disappointed constituents.