return the favor
idiom
: to do something the same or similar in return for something done
He treats them well, and they return the favor.
Examples of return the favor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And the actors seemed to return the favor.
—
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Mesidor sack caps stellar defensive drive The Hurricanes return the favor and force a three-and-out of their own, capped by a monstrous Akheem Mesidor third-down sack on Julian Sayin.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
All of the experts expect this game to be a one-score game, but the majority believe the Crimson Tide will return the favor and get the road victory.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Michigan players were making sure Ohio State didn’t try to return the favor from last season by planting a flag on the Block M logo inside Michigan Stadium.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for return the favor
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Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
Mesidor sack caps stellar defensive drive The Hurricanes return the favor and force a three-and-out of their own, capped by a monstrous Akheem Mesidor third-down sack on Julian Sayin.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
All of the experts expect this game to be a one-score game, but the majority believe the Crimson Tide will return the favor and get the road victory.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025
Michigan players were making sure Ohio State didn’t try to return the favor from last season by planting a flag on the Block M logo inside Michigan Stadium.
—Austin Meek, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for return the favor
Cite this Entry
“Return the favor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/return%20the%20favor. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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