reap
B2Formal, literary, proverbial; occasionally used in everyday speech in metaphorical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To cut and gather a crop, especially grain.
To receive or obtain (a positive or negative result) as a consequence of one's own or others' actions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In its literal sense, 'reap' specifically denotes the final stage of harvesting. Its metaphorical use is far more common in modern English, strongly associated with the biblical/proverbial principle 'you reap what you sow.'
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The literal agricultural sense may be more regionally familiar in areas with arable farming.
Connotations
Identical connotations. The word carries a formal, somewhat old-fashioned, or moralistic tone in its figurative use.
Frequency
Equally infrequent in literal use in both varieties. Metaphorical use is equally common and stylistically marked.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
reap + NP (object)reap + NP (object) + from + NP (source)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “reap what you sow”
- “reap the whirlwind”
- “reap a bitter harvest”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common in business journalism and reports: 'The company is now reaping the benefits of its early investment in AI.'
Academic
Used in social sciences and economics to describe outcomes: 'The policy reforms reaped significant demographic dividends.'
Everyday
Primarily metaphorical: 'All your hard work is about to pay off—time to reap the rewards!'
Technical
In agriculture, a precise term for the harvesting of grain crops using a reaper or combine harvester.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Farmers will reap the barley next week if the weather holds.
- The government failed to reap any political advantage from the crisis.
American English
- They're ready to reap the wheat in the south field.
- The startup reaped huge profits from its viral app.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The farmer reaps the corn in autumn.
- If you study hard now, you will reap the benefits in your exams.
- The company's ethical practices have allowed it to reap significant goodwill from consumers.
- The regime's brutal suppression of dissent means it will inevitably reap a bitter harvest of resentment and rebellion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a farmer cutting WHEAT with a scythe. The word REAP sounds like the 'rip' the scythe makes through the stalks.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACTIONS ARE SEEDS / CONSEQUENCES ARE A HARVEST (You plant actions and later reap their consequences, good or bad).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating simply as 'получать' (to get) as it loses the因果 link. The closest conceptual equivalent is 'пожинать (плоды/последствия)'.
- Do not confuse with 'ripe' (спелый). 'Reap' is the action done *to* ripe crops.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'They reaped the seeds last autumn.' (You sow seeds, you reap a crop.)
- Incorrect: *'He reaped to get a promotion.' (Requires a direct object: 'He reaped the reward of a promotion.')
Practice
Quiz
In the proverb 'You reap what you sow', what is the closest meaning of 'reap'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is used for both positive and negative outcomes (e.g., 'reap the rewards' vs. 'reap the consequences' or 'reap the whirlwind').
'Harvest' is the broader term for the entire process of gathering a crop. 'Reap' specifically refers to the cutting and gathering of grain crops, making it a subtype of harvesting. Metaphorically, they are often interchangeable.
Yes, though less common for the literal action. It is perfectly natural in metaphorical contexts (e.g., 'The company is reaping the benefits').
The primary agent noun is 'reaper' (one who reaps). The action itself is 'reaping'. There is no direct nominal form for the result; you would use 'harvest' (the yield that is reaped).