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
The upsides of this move are notional and long-term: Russia might someday return the favor by supporting Chinese territorial aspirations or cooperating on revising the structures of global governance.
—
Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2022
The coaches and players have to be prepared to return the favor.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2024
To return the favor, Nirvana wore Sonic Youth t-shirts onstage at the peak of their fiery, brief life.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 9 June 2024
Image Implicit in such a request is a willingness to return the favor: a jersey for a jersey, a glove for a glove, cleats for cleats.
—Zach Buchanan, New York Times, 1 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for return the favor 
Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2022
The coaches and players have to be prepared to return the favor.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2024
To return the favor, Nirvana wore Sonic Youth t-shirts onstage at the peak of their fiery, brief life.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 9 June 2024
Image Implicit in such a request is a willingness to return the favor: a jersey for a jersey, a glove for a glove, cleats for cleats.
—Zach Buchanan, New York Times, 1 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for return the favor
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'return the favor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 26 Jul. 2024.
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