de‧serve S3 W3 / dɪzɜv $ -ɜrv / 动词 [及物动词]

1 to have earned something by good or bad actions or behaviour :

What have I done to deserve this?

deserve to do something

We didn’t deserve to win.

richly/fully/thoroughly etc deserve something

the success he so richly deserves

I’m sorry for the kids. They deserve better (= deserve to be treated in a better way ) .

deserve a rest/break/holiday etc

I think we deserve a rest after all that hard work.

Ledley deserves a place in the team.

Paula deserves a special mention for all the help she has given us.

I would never hit anyone, even if they deserved it.

What has he done to deserve this punishment ?

deserve all/everything you get (= deserve any bad things that happen to you )

He deserves all he gets for being so dishonest.

People who are sent to prison for drunk-driving get what they deserve .

2 deserve consideration/attention etc if a suggestion, idea, or plan deserves consideration, attention etc, it is good enough to be considered, paid attention to etc 同义词 merit :

This proposal deserves serious consideration.

3 somebody deserves a medal spoken used to say that you admire the way someone dealt with a situation or problem

somebody deserves a medal for

You deserve a medal for putting up with Ian’s constant demands.

COLLOCATIONS

名词

deserve a rest/break/holiday etc Once the students have done their exams they deserve a break.

deserve a chance Everybody deserves a second chance.

deserve respect Our police officers deserve our respect.

deserve credit/praise The team played really well and they deserve credit for it.

deserve support This is a splendid proposal which deserves our support.

deserve recognition (= public respect and thanks ) The teaching profession deserves more recognition.

deserve better ( also deserve a better deal ) (= deserve to be treated better or to be in a better situation ) They treated him badly at work and I thought he deserved better.

deserve a (special) mention (= used especially in speeches to mention someone’s good work or actions ) Richard deserves a special mention for all his hard work on this project.

deserve a place You need top grades to deserve a place at the best universities.

deserve punishment If you commit a crime, you have deserved punishment.

副词

thoroughly/fully deserve something He didn’t work so he thoroughly deserved his poor marks.

richly deserve something (= greatly deserve something good that happens ) Her success was richly deserved.

well deserved The restaurant has a well deserved reputation for excellent fish.

短语

get what you deserve (= experience something bad after you have behaved badly ) I like films where the bad guys get what they deserve.

deserve all/everything you get (= deserve any bad things that happen to you ) She’s behaved really stupidly and she deserves all she gets.