have the last laugh
to make someone who has criticized or defeated you look stupid by succeeding at something more important or by seeing them fail

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

have the last laugh
to make someone who has criticized or defeated you look stupid by succeeding at something more important or by seeing them fail.
They fired her last year but she had the last laugh because she was taken on by their main rivals at twice the salary.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

have the last laugh
make someone seem foolish for having laughed at you first
I had the last laugh when I went home early while everyone else had to stay overnight at the airport because of the storm.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

have the last laugh
v. phr. To make someone seem foolish for having laughed at you.
Other schools laughed at us when our little team entered the state championship, but we had the last laugh when we won it.
Compare: HE LAUGHS BEST WHO LAUGHS LAST, TURN THE TABLES.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲