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Meaning & use

fruits of the labor

phrase·Everyday

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UK/ˌfruːts əv ðə ˈleɪbə/
US/ˌfruːts əv ðə ˈleɪbər/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    The good results or rewards that come from hard work.

    Grammar: Used with 'the' and normally in the plural: 'the fruits of the labor'. It can also be used with a possessive: 'the fruits of their labor'.

    Patterns

    • the fruits of the labor
    • the fruits of someone's labor
    • enjoy the fruits of the labor
    • see the fruits of the labor

    After ten years of building the company, she finally enjoyed the fruits of the labor.

    The team celebrated with a party, tasting the fruits of the labor of the past season.

    He worked two jobs so that his children could enjoy the fruits of the labor.

  2. phrasefixed phraseformalliterary

    The natural or expected results of a particular effort or process, often used in a wider sense.

    Grammar: Often used in formal or literary writing about the results of work or struggle. The singular 'the fruit of the labor' also exists but is less common.

    Patterns

    • the fruits of the labor of something
    • reap the fruits of the labor

    The new library is the fruit of the labor of hundreds of volunteers.

    The peace agreement was the fruit of the labor of many diplomats.

Common combinations

enjoy the fruits of the labor
Now that the house is built, they can enjoy the fruits of the labor.
the fruits of someone's labor
She shared the fruits of her labor with the whole community.
see the fruits of the labor
It took years before we could see the fruits of the labor.
reap the fruits of the labor
After the harvest, the farmers reaped the fruits of the labor.

Synonyms and how they differ

rewards
Rewards are more general and can be given for anything; 'fruits of the labor' specifically suggests results earned through hard work.
payoff
Payoff is informal and often about money or a single clear benefit; 'fruits of the labor' is more literary and can refer to many good results.
results
Results is neutral and factual; 'fruits of the labor' adds a positive, slightly old-fashioned tone of earned reward.

Word family

fruit noun
The sweet part of a plant; also used figuratively for results.
fruitful adjective
Producing good results.
labor noun
Work, especially hard physical work.

Commonly confused: fruits of the labor or fruit of the loom?

fruits of the labor vs fruit of the loom

This is a brand name of clothing, not the idiom. The idiom is 'the fruits of the labor' (or 'labour' in British English).

Practice

After years of saving, they finally bought a house and began to enjoy the ______.

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