have the last laugh

verb

To be vindicated; to triumph despite predicted failure; to find success after defeat or setback.

“The author had the last laugh over the publishers who had rejected her now best-selling book.”

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Meanings

verbhave the last laugh (third-person singular simple present has the last laugh, present participle having the last laugh, simple past and past participle had the last laugh)

present singular third person has the last laugh · participle present having the last laugh · participle past had the last laugh · past had the last laugh · alternative get the last laugh

  1. idiomaticTo be vindicated; to triumph despite predicted failure; to find success after defeat or setback.

    The author had the last laugh over the publishers who had rejected her now best-selling book.

Cite this entry
APA

have the last laugh. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/have%20the%20last%20laugh

MLA

“have the last laugh.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/have%20the%20last%20laugh. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “have the last laugh,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/have%20the%20last%20laugh.

Source: have the last laugh on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.