last laugh
noun
: the satisfaction of ultimate triumph or success especially after being scorned or regarded as a failure
he got the last laugh on his early critics
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Omega would have the last laugh, pulling off the V-Trigger and finishing with the One-Winged Angel on Dragon Lee to score the pin and the win. 
Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 18 Aug. 2022 But six seasons later, creators Peter Gould and Vince Gilligan have the last laugh, after transforming the huckster comic relief of one of the all-time-great TV dramas into a prestige series that stands toe to toe with its predecessor. Barbara Vandenburgh, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2022 Teachers can get the last laugh before returning to the classroom this fall when the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour comes to town. Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2022 Once again the No. 6 pick showed flashes of his potential, totaling 15 points and three rebounds as the Pacers climbed back into the game, but No. 4 pick Keegan Murray got the last laugh. James Boyd, The Indianapolis Star, 10 July 2022 Yet, like the dubious industrial heroes of the present day, Lang may well have the last laugh, as the leader of a movement to forge a brighter technological future. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 June 2022 Carey got the last laugh, though: The EP for the singer’s Unplugged appearance sold 2.7 million records and was a catalyst for her superstardom. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 2 June 2022 Louisiana got the last laugh against Auburn in the Clemson Regional. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 21 May 2022 Crowder, who had 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocks that game, also got the last laugh for his viral salsa dance late in the fourth, which imitated James in his Mountain Dew commercial. Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 17 May 2022 See More
Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 18 Aug. 2022 But six seasons later, creators Peter Gould and Vince Gilligan have the last laugh, after transforming the huckster comic relief of one of the all-time-great TV dramas into a prestige series that stands toe to toe with its predecessor. Barbara Vandenburgh, USA TODAY, 16 Aug. 2022 Teachers can get the last laugh before returning to the classroom this fall when the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour comes to town. Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2022 Once again the No. 6 pick showed flashes of his potential, totaling 15 points and three rebounds as the Pacers climbed back into the game, but No. 4 pick Keegan Murray got the last laugh. James Boyd, The Indianapolis Star, 10 July 2022 Yet, like the dubious industrial heroes of the present day, Lang may well have the last laugh, as the leader of a movement to forge a brighter technological future. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 June 2022 Carey got the last laugh, though: The EP for the singer’s Unplugged appearance sold 2.7 million records and was a catalyst for her superstardom. Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 2 June 2022 Louisiana got the last laugh against Auburn in the Clemson Regional. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 21 May 2022 Crowder, who had 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocks that game, also got the last laugh for his viral salsa dance late in the fourth, which imitated James in his Mountain Dew commercial. Dana Scott, The Arizona Republic, 17 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1872, in the meaning defined above