return (someone's) compliment
return (someone's) compliment
1. Literally, to compliment someone in return for a compliment they gave first. I always feel the need to return people's compliments whenever they say something nice to me. It feels rude not to, I guess.
2. To reciprocate someone's actions. You helped me last week, so let me return your compliment and do your taxes for you. If Tiffany's the one who started that rumor about me, I'll just return her compliment with a rumor about her.
See also: compliment, return
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- return the compliment
- in return
- in return for
- in return for (something)
- pay (one) a compliment
- pay a compliment
- pay compliment
- by return mail and by return post
- return