This expression is similar to "what goes around, comes around" and basically means that the consequences of
one's evil actions catch up in a negative
way. The idea that a wrongful curse comes back to the
one who curses as a "
bird returns to its nest" dates back to the days of antiquity. However, it wasn't until the 19th Century that Robert Southey wrote that "curses are like a young chicken: they always come home to roost." Since then, the idea of evil
men creating returns to their own door has been encapsulated in this expression.
Dude, you keep dealing drugs and you're going to get caught. When the chickens come home to roost, they
will take your
car, your house, and all your
money!