English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Tit for tat
Meaning
"Tit for tat" is an idiomatic expression that means a kind of reciprocal action, where one person does something in response to what the other has done. It implies a sense of fairness and equality in the exchange of actions or behavior between two parties. The figurative meaning of this idiom is often used in situations where there is a tit-for-tat relationship between individuals or groups. This could mean that each party does something to counteract what the other has done, resulting in an ongoing cycle of retaliation and retribution.
Usage
- After years of bitter rivalry, the two companies finally reached a deal through a tit-for-tat agreement.
- When she discovered that her colleague had stolen her idea, she retaliated by sabotaging his project in a classic case of tit for tat.
- The government's decision to impose sanctions on the enemy country was met with tit-for-tat measures from the other side.
- In the political arena, the tit-for-tat between the two parties often leads to stalemate and a lack of progress.
- The social media war between two influencers has become a never-ending cycle of tit-for-tat insults and accusations.
Roots and History
The origin of this idiom is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in medieval England. One theory suggests that the phrase comes from the customary exchange of gifts or favors between two parties, with each party giving something of equal value in response to what the other had given. Over time, the phrase has come to be used more broadly to describe any kind of reciprocal action or behavior between two parties.
Synonyms in English
- You get what you give
- Give and take
- Quid pro quo
- Mutually beneficial
- Reciprocate
Synonyms in other languages
- In Spanish, "tit-for-tat" is translated as "todo por todo" or "recíproco".
- In French, the equivalent phrase is "toi le mien", which means "you get what you give".
- In German, the idiom is "Aufs Gegenseitigkeiten", which translates to "on reciprocity".
- In Italian, the equivalent expression is "tit per tat", which has the same meaning as in English.
- In Japanese, the phrase is "いちどに一会しません" or "一回の交桜を得る", which means "to meet once and never again" or "to get a reciprocal exchange of actions".