English idiom

a taste of your own medicine

Register · Informal CEFR B2

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Figurative meaning

The same unpleasant treatment that you have given to others.

Why this phrase?

Someone receives a sample of the same unpleasant treatment they previously administered to others.

Example

“When they ignored his calls, he finally got a taste of his own medicine.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

tit for tat

an equivalent retaliation, an eye for an eye

fight fire with fire

to counter an opponent using the same methods they use

level playing field

a fair situation in which no one has an unfair advantage

pull your weight

To do your fair share of the work in a group.

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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