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return the compliment

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return the compliment and return someone's compliment
to pay a compliment to someone who has paid you a compliment. Mary told me that my hair looked nice, so I returned her compliment and told her that her hair was lovely. When someone says something nice, it is polite to return the compliment.
See also: compliment, return

return the compliment
to do something for someone because they have done something for you Thanks for looking after the house while we were away. I hope I'll be able to return the compliment some time.
See also: compliment, return

return the compliment
1. to do something for someone because they have done something for you Our neighbors looked after the house while we were away, and we'll return the compliment when they go on vacation.
2. to do or say something unfriendly to someone because they have made you angry The batter was thrown out of the game, so he returned the compliment by calling the umpire a fool.
Related vocabulary: return the favor
See also: compliment, return


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? References in classic literature
You mus'n't return the compliment and call me 'Patrick,' mind--I'm too old to be treated in that way.
When people who live in the country patronize public amusements, public amusements return the compliment by upsetting the family afterward for days together.
He then bared his bosom for me to return the compliment, which being done, he seemed highly pleased.
 
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