de ‧ serve S3 W3 /dɪˈzɜːv $ -ɜːrv/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: Latin deservire 'to serve very keenly' , from servire 'to serve' ]
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 SYN 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
■ nouns
▪ 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.
■ adverbs
▪ 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.
■ phrases
▪ 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.