The idiom "fruits of labor" is a common expression that refers to the rewards or benefits one receives due to hard work or effort.

In short:

“Fruits of labor” is an idiom that means the good outcomes or payoff one gets from his or her perseverance or hard work.

What Does "Fruits of Labor" Mean?

The rewards or benefits of hard work or effort are called the "fruits of labor." This is a common expression and an idiom. It can be used literally or figuratively and applied to various aspects of life, such as work, education, hobbies, relationships, etc.

Where Does "Fruits of Labor" Come From?

The idiom "fruits of labor" originates in the Bible and agriculture. In the Bible, this idiom refers to the result or outcome of something, such as actions, words, deeds, faith, etc. On the other hand, in agriculture, the term "fruit" literally means the edible part of a plant that contains seeds, such as apples, oranges, bananas, etc. "Labor" literally means the physical or mental work to produce something.

Historical example:

In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul writes:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

The combination of “fruit” and “labor” in the Bible suggests a connection between one’s actions and outcomes. One will reap what one sows in this life or the next.

10 Examples of "Fruits of Labor" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how the idiom "fruits of labor" can be used in different sentences, demonstrating different contexts and situations:

• After months of training and preparation, he finally won the marathon and enjoyed his fruits of labor.
• She donated some fruits of labor to charity and felt good about helping others. Real talk, she would be awarded for such a good deed.
• They invited their friends and family to celebrate the fruits of their labor and share their success in life.
• He was disappointed when he did not get the recognition he deserved for his fruits of labor.
• Come on, live a little. It would help if you were enjoying your fruits of labor. You have been working for years!
• She was jealous of her colleague, who stole her fruits of labor and took credit for her work.
• They were grateful for their fruits of labor and thanked God for His blessings. That's why they did the celebration.
• She invested her fruits of labor wisely and secured her financial future. No diggity, she is the best!
• They shared their fruits of labor with their employees and rewarded them for their loyalty and hard work.
• He wasted his fruits of labor on gambling and drinking and ended up in smoke. Now he's broke.

Examples of "Fruits of Labor" in Pop Culture

The idiom "fruits of labor" has also been used in various forms of pop culture, such as songs, movies, books, and games.

Here are some examples of how the idiom "fruits of labor" has been used in pop culture:

• In the song "Fruits of My Labor" by Lucinda Williams, the singer expresses her longing for her lover and compares him to the "fruits of her labor." She sings: "Lay down your troubles by my side, lay down your old coat and hat, lay down the fruits of your labor, lay down the fruits of your labor."
• In the movie The Pursuit of Happyness, the protagonist struggles to overcome poverty and homelessness while raising his son and pursuing his dream of becoming a stockbroker. He eventually succeeds and enjoys his "fruits of labor."

Other Ways to Say "Fruits of Labor"

There are other ways to say "fruits of labor" with similar meanings or convey similar ideas.

Here are some synonyms or alternative phrases for "fruits of labor":

• Rewards
• Benefits
• Outcomes
• Results
• Consequences
• Payoff
• Return
• Profit
• Gain
• Harvest

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Fruits of Labor"

Here are some frequently asked questions about the idiom "fruits of labor" and their answers:

• What is the origin of the phrase "fruits of labor"?

The idiom "fruits of labor" is believed to have come from the Bible and agriculture.

• What are other words for "fruits of labor"?

Some synonyms for "fruits of labor" are rewards, benefits, payoff, profit, etc.

• What is the opposite of "fruits of labor"?

The opposite of “fruits of labor” can be “costs of labor,” “losses of labor,” “waste of labor,” or “failure of labor,” depending on the context and the meaning.

• What are some idioms that are similar to "fruits of labor"?

Some idioms that are similar to “fruits of labor” are: "to reap what one sows," "to get one's just deserts," and "to have one's cake and eat it too."

• How do you use "fruits of labor" in a passive voice?

You can use “fruits of labor” in a passive voice by adding the verb “to be” and changing the verb form to the past participle.

Example: They were satisfied with their "fruits of labor." (Their fruits of labor made them happy.)

• How do you use "fruits of labor" in a negative sentence?

You can use “fruits of labor” in a negative sentence by adding the word “not” before the verb.

Example: He did not enjoy his "fruits of labor." Quite frankly, he was just being ungrateful.

• How do you use "fruits of labor" in a conditional sentence?

You can use “fruits of labor” in a conditional sentence using “if” and the appropriate verb tense.

Example: Oh, snap! If she had shared her "fruits of labor," she would have made more friends. (She did not share her rewards or benefits, so she did not make many friends.)

• How do you use "fruits of labor" in a comparative or superlative sentence?
  

You can use “fruits of labor” in a comparative or superlative sentence by using the words “more,” “less,” “most,” or “least” before the verb.

Example: He got more "fruits of his labor" than the others because he gave his best in the process, and I couldn't be happier for him.

• How do you use "fruits of labor" in a past tense sentence?

To use “fruits of labor” in a past tense sentence, you need to change the verb form of the main clause to indicate that the action or the state happened in the past.

Example: He enjoyed his "fruits of labor" after finishing his project.

• How do you use "fruits of labor" in a future tense sentence?

To use “fruits of labor” in a future tense sentence, you need to change the verb form of the main clause to indicate that the action or the state will happen in the future.

Example: He will enjoy his "fruits of labor" after he retires.

Final Thoughts About "Fruits of Labor"

The idiom "fruits of labor" is a valuable and versatile expression that can enrich your everyday language. It can help you express your appreciation, satisfaction, or gratitude for the rewards or benefits you or others receive from hard work or effort.

Here are some key points to remember about the idiom "fruits of labor":

• "Fruits of labor" is an idiom that means the rewards or benefits one gets from one's hard work or effort.
• It can be used literally or figuratively in various situations and domains.
• It has its origins in the Bible and agriculture, and it is related to the concept of karma.
• It can be used in different verb tenses, voice modes, sentence types, and modifiers.
• Finally, it has synonyms or alternative phrases with similar meanings or ideas.