pay (one) back in (one's) own coin
pay (one) back in (one's) own coin
To seek revenge on someone by treating them in the same negative manner as they treated one. If he's been giving you the cold shoulder, just pay him back in his own coin and start ignoring him for a while. See how he likes it. The party, now in the minority, has been paying the new majority back in their own coin by stifling their legislation initiatives at every opportunity.
See also: back, coin, own, pay
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
pay someone back in their own coin
OLD-FASHIONEDIf someone has treated you badly or unfairly and you pay them back in their own coin, you treat them in exactly the same way that they have treated you. The European Community had even released lists of American unfair trade practices, paying us back in our own coin. Note: `Coin' is an old-fashioned word for currency.
See also: back, coin, own, pay, someone
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
pay someone back in their own coin
retaliate by similar behaviour.See also: back, coin, own, pay, someone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- pay someone back in their own coin
- tough love
- take revenge
- take revenge (against/on someone or something)
- revenge
- get revenge
- give (oneself or someone) a pat on the back
- give somebody/yourself a pat on the back