instant karma

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English

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Etymology

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From instant +‎ karma.

Noun

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instant karma (uncountable)

  1. A circumstance where something deserving but unexpected happens, especially, when a person's actions backfire and cause an immediate unforeseen and unintended effect that may be deemed just deserts for those actions.
    • 1971, Jon Anderson, Chris Squire (lyrics and music), “I've Seen All Good People”, performed by Yes:
      Don't surround yourself with yourself
      Move on back two squares
      Send an instant karma to me
      Initial it with loving care.
    • 1991 May 5, The Canberra Times, page 9, column 2:
      The eyes that met Paul's across a crowded London club 22 years ago when she was an unknown freelance photographer and he was, what? A god? "Instant karma" — this said romantically.

Translations

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