the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children
phrase
—used to say that children often suffer for the bad things their parents do
Cite this Entry
“The sins of the fathers are visited upon the children.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20sins%20of%20the%20fathers%20are%20visited%20upon%20the%20children. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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