Idiom meaning, usage examples, facts

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U W Y
PAY (SOMEONE) BACK
to respond to somebody’s behavior with similar behavior
 PAY (SOMEONE) BACK
1. Desmond was rude to you on the playground, but you can be nice to him anyway. You don’t have to pay him back by insulting him.
2. Shelly appreciated Tim’s kind words, and tried to pay him back by encouraging him the next time they met.

The expression is often, but not always, used in reference to negative situations.


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