Definition & Meaning of "karma is a bitch"

History and meaning of the proverb "karma is a bitch!"

The proverb “karma is a bitch” is a modern colloquial expression that combines the ancient concept of karma—the idea that every action has a consequence—with the slang term “bitch,” used here to imply that the consequences can be harsh or unforgiving. The phrase likely evolved from the older saying “what goes around, comes around,” emphasizing that one’s actions, good or bad, will eventually come back to affect them. It’s a secular adaptation of the spiritual doctrine of karma found in Hinduism and Buddhism, which teaches that a person’s actions in this life will determine their fate in future lives. The use of “bitch” personifies karma as a force that can be unpleasantly harsh, serving as a stark reminder that one’s negative actions can lead to equally negative outcomes. It’s often used rhetorically or as a taunt when someone perceives that another person is receiving their just deserts for past misdeeds.