Revenge is a powerful emotion that often leads to intense actions and strong feelings. Idioms provide a colorful way to describe the concept of revenge, illustrating the different facets and impacts it can have. Here are 20 idioms that capture the essence of seeking vengeance.
Idioms That Describe Revenge
1. An eye for an eye
Meaning: Retaliate in kind.
Example: He sought an eye for an eye after the betrayal.
2. Get even
Meaning: Take revenge.
Example: She planned to get even with her rival.
3. Payback time
Meaning: Time for revenge.
Example: After years of suffering, it’s payback time.
4. Settle the score
Meaning: Take revenge.
Example: He decided to settle the score with his enemy.
5. Taste of their own medicine
Meaning: Experience the same bad treatment.
Example: She gave them a taste of their own medicine.
6. Give someone a dose of their own medicine
Meaning: Treat someone the way they treated you.
Example: He got a dose of his own medicine finally.
7. Get your own back
Meaning: Get revenge.
Example: She got her own back on her ex.
8. A dish best served cold
Meaning: Revenge is better when delayed.
Example: She believes revenge is a dish best served cold.
9. Vengeance is mine
Meaning: I will take revenge.
Example: He declared, “Vengeance is mine.”
10. Even the score
Meaning: Take revenge.
Example: She wanted to even the score after being wronged.
11. Retaliation in kind
Meaning: Respond similarly.
Example: He planned retaliation in kind for the insult.
12. Turn the tables
Meaning: Reverse the situation.
Example: She turned the tables on her competitor.
13. Get back at
Meaning: Take revenge.
Example: He wanted to get back at those who hurt him.
14. Have the last laugh
Meaning: Get revenge by succeeding.
Example: She had the last laugh by winning the award.
15. Strike back
Meaning: Retaliate.
Example: They struck back after the initial attack.
16. Take someone down a peg
Meaning: Humiliate as revenge.
Example: She took him down a peg after his arrogance.
17. Exact revenge
Meaning: Take revenge.
Example: He vowed to exact revenge for the betrayal.
18. Give tit for tat
Meaning: Give equal retaliation.
Example: She gave tit for tat for his actions.
19. Take it out on
Meaning: Express anger as revenge.
Example: He took it out on his colleagues unfairly.
20. Seek retribution
Meaning: Pursue revenge.
Example: She sought retribution for her family’s suffering.
