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3. give as good as one gets

give as good as one gets

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give as good as one gets

Fig. to give as much as one receives; to pay someone back in kind. (Usually in the present tense.) John can take care of himself in a fight. He can give as good as he gets. Sally usually wins a formal debate. She gives as good as she gets.

See also: get, give, good, one

give as good as one gets

Return in kind, retaliate, as in In an argument Laura can give as good she gets, or Don't worry about the bullies in Bobby's class-he can give as good as he gets. The general idea of this expression dates from the late 1600s, but the precise wording was first recorded only in 1952.

See also: get, give, good, one