medicine

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a dose of (one's) own medicine

An experience of the same harmful or unpleasant thing that one has inflicted on others; an attack in the same manner in which one attacks others. John has gossiped about everyone in our group, so we gave him a dose of his own medicine by spreading rumors about him. The coup gave the dictatorship a dose of its own medicine, subjecting the dictator and his entourage to torture and confinement in deplorable conditions.

a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down

Something good makes something bad more tolerable. I'm going to put on some fun background music while I work on this boring project because a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.

See also: down, help, medicine, of, sugar

give (one) a taste of (one's) own medicine

To do something (usually unpleasant) to someone who usually acts in the same way. Bill is always excluding me from things, so I'm going to give him a taste of his own medicine and not invite him to my party. This team likes to play tough defense, so let's give them a taste of their own medicine and not give them any space to score.

See also: give, medicine, of, own, taste

socialized medicine

A system of national healthcare that is funded by taxes and provided to people by the government. Ever since I got sick, my medical expenses have been so outrageous that I'm thinking of moving to a country that has socialized medicine.

See also: medicine

a taste of (one's) own medicine

The same unpleasant experience or treatment that one has given to others. Doug is a bully—of course he won't like it when his victims fight back and give him a taste of his own medicine. This team likes to play rough, so let's go out there and give them a taste of their own medicine!

give (one) a dose of (one's) own medicine

To do something (usually unpleasant) to someone who usually acts in the same way. Bill is always excluding me from things, so I'm going to give him a dose of his own medicine and not invite him to my party. This team likes to play tough defense, so let's give them a dose of their own medicine and not give them any space to score.

laughter is the best medicine

Laughing a lot is a very effective means of recovering from physical or mental injury. More generally, keeping a positive outlook on life will help combat negative emotions during hard times. I think the best thing for you right now would be to spend some time with people you can joke around with. Laughter is the best medicine, after all.

snakebite medicine

Inf. inferior whiskey; strong whiskey; homemade whiskey. That old-time snakebite medicine is good for what ails you. snakebite medicine is a tremendous protection against snakebites if you can get the snake to drink the stuff before it bites you.

See also: medicine

take one's medicine

Fig. to accept the consequences or the bad fortune that one deserves. (Alludes to having to take unpleasant-tasting medicine.) I know I did wrong, and I know I have to take my medicine. Billy knew he was going to get spanked, and he didn't want to take his medicine.

*a taste of one's own medicine

and *a dose of one's own medicine

Fig. a sample of the unpleasantness that one has been giving other people. (Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) Now you see how it feels to have someone call you names! You are getting a taste of your own medicine! John, who is often rude and abrupt with people, was devastated when the teacher treated him rudely. He doesn't like having a dose of his own medicine.

dose of one's own medicine

Also, taste of one's own medicine. Repayment or retaliation, as in It's time we gave them a dose of their own medicine and simply forget to call them back , or Joe was upset at being left out, but they were just giving him a taste of his own medicine . [Late 1800s]

take one's medicine

Put up with unpleasantness, learn one's lesson. For example, After failing math, he had to take his medicine and go to summer school. This idiom uses medicine in the sense of "a bitter-tasting remedy." [Mid-1800s]

give someone a taste of their own medicine

give someone a dose of their own medicine

If you give someone a taste of their own medicine or a dose of their own medicine, you treat them badly in the same way that they treated you. The famously aggressive interviewer was given a taste of his own medicine today when one caller asked him a series of very direct questions. I haven't called him for over a week. Giving him a dose of his own medicine — see how he likes it.

See also: give, medicine, of, own, taste

a dose (or taste) of your own medicine

the same bad treatment that you have given to others.

The idea of taking or receiving your own medicine has been in metaphorical use since the mid 19th century.

1994 Eoin McNamee Resurrection Man Every time you turn on the telly there's some politician talking the mouth off himself, dose of their own medicine's what they want.

the best ˈmedicine

the best way of improving a situation, especially of making you feel happier: Laughter is the best medicine.

See also: medicine

give somebody a taste/dose of their own ˈmedicine

treat somebody in the same unpleasant, unkind, rude, etc. way that they have treated you: Give her a dose of her own medicine and make her wait for you. Then maybe she won’t be so slow next time.

See also: dose, give, medicine, of, own, somebody, taste

take your ˈmedicine (like a ˈman)

(usually humorous) accept something unpleasant, for example, punishment, without protesting or complaining: He really hates shopping, but he goes anyway and takes his medicine like a man.

snakebite medicine

n. inferior whiskey; strong whiskey; homemade whiskey. Snakebite medicine is a tremendous protection against snakebites if you can get the snake to drink the stuff before it tries to bite you.

See also: medicine

References in classic literature ?

Passepartout was astounded, and, though ready to attempt anything to get over Medicine Creek, thought the experiment proposed a little too American.

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They did not halt to make a meal, but carried the meat on with them to the place of rendezvous, the Medicine Lodge, where they arrived safely, in the evening, and celebrated their arrival by a hearty supper.

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I have sounded the depths of medicine and astrology, I tell you

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But when he had gone into another room, to which the countess hurriedly followed him, he assumed a grave air and thoughtfully shaking his head said that though there was danger, he had hopes of the effect of this last medicine and one must wait and see, that the malady was chiefly mental, but.

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Then she ought to take medicines that would reduce--reduce the disease, you know, if you are right, my dear.

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If he had a weakness, it was for thinking that all his life he had taken medicine boldly, and so now, when Michael dodged the spoon in Nana's mouth, he had said reprovingly, "Be a man, Michael.

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Mother will beat me, sir, if I go back without the medicine.

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Then medicine does not consider the interest of medicine, but the interest of the body?

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I want good medicine, better medicine than Mbonga's witch-doctor can make," replied Momaya.

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Inglethorp's large sized bottle of medicine when it came from Coot's?

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When the undertakers come for him, he drinks the medicine and feels better.

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The whole family were soon reduced to a state of perfect quiet; for the virtue of this medicine, like that of electricity, is often communicated through one person to many others, who are not touched by the instrument.

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I wish Mamma would not insist on giving him so much medicine," Lady Jane said with a sigh.

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On the table stood medicine bottles and decanters tidily arranged, and the linen needed was folded up there, and Kitty's broderie anglaise.

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All that I could now recall, and all that I could tell Ezra Jennings was, that I had attacked the art of medicine at the dinner-table with sufficient rashness and sufficient pertinacity to put even Mr.