Meaning
- a time when people are punished for their past mistakes.
- a day when one faces the reality of their bad deeds, which they had managed to avoid all along.
- a time when one's shortcomings are exposed.
- a time of uncertainty when one's good or bad actions, failures, or successes are made known and rewarded or punished.
- a time when one is asked to show why they should not be punished for their misdeeds.
- the time when a difficult situation must be handled.
Example Sentences
- The reckless behavior of drug-taking college students went unabated until the day of reckoning came-they were all sent home.
- Government officials keep saying no funds were stolen, but the day of reckoning will come when the auditor's report is released.
- The day of reckoning came for the suspect when the judge found her guilty of murder.
- Tax evaders had it easy for many years, but their day of reckoning came when the IRS sealed all loopholes.
- Unsecured bank loans appear easy to take until borrowers face their day of reckoning when they default on repayments.
- The day of reckoning has come for those who ignore healthy eating habits.
- Ignoring your studies when exams are coming up will undoubtedly result in your day of reckoning.
Origin
A person is called to account for their deeds on the day of reckoning. The person may have been assuming that their actions-especially if they are evil-will either be ignored or fade away and be forgotten.
The phrase originates in the Bible, where it is also known as the Day of Judgement. Christians believe that this is the day the world will end. Upon Jesus' second return, humankind will face God and answer for their sins.
The expression gained currency in the nineteenth century when it was used to refer to a time when people had to face their debtors. In Nicholas Nickleby (1838), author Charles Dickens wrote:
"There will be a day of reckoning sooner or later."
