deserve

deserve
de‧serve S3 W3 /dɪˈzɜːv $ -ɜːrv/ verb [transitive]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.