come back to bite
Return to haunt
To come back to bite is for a past decision or action to cause problems later: That shortcut will come back to bite you.
The full phrase is often *come back to bite you in the ass*, suggesting an attack from behind—consequences striking when you're not looking.
A careless remark, an unpaid debt, a corner cut years ago—any of these can come back to bite.
- bad karmaAccumulated spiritual consequences
- repercussionIndirect result of action
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- reprisalPunitive action in return
poetic justice · regret · payback · reaction · blowback · backlash · collateral damage · cautionary tale · ripple effect · unintended consequences · retribution · boomerang · hindsight · domino effect · accountability · culpability · vengeance · cosmic balance
come back to biteget away with it
dodge a bullet · slip through the cracks · water under the bridge · forgive and forget · let bygones be bygones
come, comes, coming, back, backs, backed, backing, backer, bite