Revenge is a dish best served cold

Definitions

discourage immediate retaliation
Advise against seeking revenge hastily, suggesting that waiting and planning will lead to a more satisfying and effective outcome

Examples of Revenge is a dish best served cold

After months of planning and careful strategizing, Sarah finally had her chance for revenge against the person who had wronged her. But instead of acting impulsively and allowing her emotions to cloud her judgement, she waited patiently until the perfect opportunity presented itself. In the end, Sarah's revenge was served cold, calculated and precise, leaving the offender with no chance of escape.

The idiom "revenge is a dish best served cold" suggests that taking revenge should not be done impulsively or in a rush, but rather with deliberate planning and patience. The word "cold" represents a detached and calculated approach, free from anger or emotional attachment. By serving revenge in this way, the avenger is able to inflict maximum damage without being overtaken by their own emotions or leaving any loose ends behind.
Despite John's constant bullying and taunts, Emily remained composed and calm. She knew that revenge was a dish best served cold, and she was going to take her time in exacting her revenge. In a few months, Emily would exact her revenge, and it would be served cold, leaving John with no doubt of her superiority.

This example demonstrates how the idiom can be applied to a situation where revenge is being planned over a longer period of time. Instead of lashing out impulsively, Emily is biding her time and waiting until she has the upper hand. By adhering to the principle of serving revenge cold, Emily will be able to execute her plan with precision and control, leaving her opponent completely powerless.
After being betrayed by his closest friend, Tom was consumed by a burning desire for revenge. But instead of acting impetuously, Tom took a step back and allowed himself to cool down. He realized that revenge was a dish best served cold, and he began to devise a plan that would take months to execute. Tom's eventual revenge would be served cold, calculated and precise, leaving his former friend with no hope of escape.

This example demonstrates how the idiom can be applied to a situation where the avenger is initially emotional and impulsive, but is ultimately able to gain control of their emotions and act decisively. By waiting until he has had time to cool down and think things through, Tom is able to serve his revenge in a way that is completely detached and calculated, free from any emotional attachment.
Despite facing repeated setbacks and rejections, Sarah never lost sight of her ultimate goal: to seek revenge against the person who had wronged her. But instead of acting impulsively, Sarah realized that revenge was a dish best served cold. She took a step back and began to devise a plan that would take months to execute. In the end, Sarah's revenge would be served cold, calculated and precise, leaving her opponent with no chance of escaping the consequences of their actions.

This example demonstrates how the idiom can be applied to a situation where the avenger has been facing repeated setbacks, but has remained focused on their ultimate goal. By recognizing that revenge is a dish best served cold, Sarah is able to remain calm and focused, even in the face of repeated rejections and setbacks. Her calculated and precise revenge will be all the more impactful as a result.
Jane had been betrayed and hurt by her former best friend, Emily. She tried to forgive Emily and move on, but the betrayal had left a deep wound in her heart. As time passed, Jane realized that she couldn't continue to let Emily get away with what she had done. She knew that revenge was a dish best served cold, so she waited patiently, biding her time, and carefully planning her next move. After months of strategic planning, Jane finally served Emily the cold dish of revenge, leaving her friend to feel the full weight of her betrayal.

The expression "revenge is a dish best served cold" means that the best way to take revenge is to do it slowly and deliberately, without any emotions or sudden outbursts. This allows the person seeking revenge to exact punishment in a calculated and effective way, rather than reacting impulsively in the heat of the moment. In Jane's case, she waited patiently and carefully planned her revenge, allowing her to serve it up in a way that left Emily with no doubt of the severity of her betrayal.
After years of being wronged by my former colleague, I am finally in a position to get revenge. But instead of taking immediate action, I am biding my time and waiting for the perfect opportunity. Revenge, as they say, is a dish best served cold.

This idiom means that it is often more satisfying to exact revenge slowly and deliberately, rather than impulsively or hastily. In the example, the speaker is suggesting that they will not let their former colleague's wrongdoings go unpunished, but they will wait for the right moment to strike. By serving revenge cold, they can ensure that the payback is both effective and satisfying.

Conclusion

The idiom "Revenge is a dish best served cold" is often used to caution someone against seeking immediate retaliation. It suggests that taking time to plan and execute revenge will lead to a more satisfying and successful outcome. The phrase is commonly used to discourage impulsive actions and promote strategic thinking in seeking retribution.

Origin of "Revenge is a dish best served cold"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the 18th century French novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The original French phrase is "La vengeance est un plat qui se mange froid," which translates to "Revenge is a dish best eaten cold." This concept was later popularized in English literature, particularly in the 19th century, and has since become a well-known proverb.

The idiom is often associated with the idea that revenge should be calculated and deliberate, rather than driven by emotion. It emphasizes the importance of patience and strategic planning in seeking retribution. This concept has been widely embraced in popular culture and continues to be used in modern language to convey the wisdom of refraining from impulsive retaliation.