the last laugh
Meaning
Final triumph or satisfaction after others have doubted or mocked you; ultimately being the winner.
Origin
From the common idea that whoever laughs last has seen the final outcome and therefore enjoys the ultimate victory. Recorded in English from the 18th–19th centuries and popularized as a proverb: “He who laughs last laughs best.”
Notes
Implies ultimate victory after being doubted. Can sound a bit smug/taunting, so it’s best used carefully depending on the relationship and context.
Examples
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They mocked her startup idea, but she got the last laugh when it sold for millions.
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He thought he’d won the argument, yet she had the last laugh when the facts came out.
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The team was written off as too inexperienced, but they got the last laugh by winning the championship.
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I lost the first round of negotiations, but I had the last laugh after securing a better deal later.
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Everyone complained about the new schedule at first, but management had the last laugh when productivity improved.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used in set phrases like “have/get the last laugh” or “whoever laughs last…”. ‘Last’ is fixed; you don’t normally pluralize it (*last laughs).
Synonyms
- have the last laugh
- laugh last
- have the final say
- come out on top
Antonyms
- lose
- come up short
- be the loser