new idioms

[Pierangela]

I'd like to know the meaning of the following idiom:
No rest/peace for the wicked

[BobK]

There is no rest for the [that is, 'people who are'] wicked. People who use it today are probably referring to the sort of rest that people get when they go to bed; "You can't sleep if you're bad". In former, more religious times, 'rest' was understood as the relief that came with the end of earthly labours - as in the prayer for the dead "Eternal rest grant unto them...'.

b

[MaryTeacher]

I've always thought this expression referred back to the notion of original sin. When someone complains of being busy, or having too much work, I've heard the response (usually from elderly people) that there's no rest for the wicked. Meaning, this is our lot in life- hard work and toil (so they are saying, deal with it- stop complaining). I don't think young people use this expression so much.