he that mischief hatches, mischief catches
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
People who behave wickedly receive their just deserts.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “he that mischief hatches, mischief catches” mean?
People who behave wickedly receive their just deserts.
Is “he that mischief hatches, mischief catches” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.