give somebody a taste/dose of their own medicine

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

To do the same harmful or unpleasant thing that one has inflicted on others or to attack in the same manner in which one attacks others. 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. The coup gave the dictator a dose of his own medicine, subjecting him to torture and confinement in deplorable conditions.

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

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

To do the same harmful or unpleasant thing that one has inflicted on others or to attack in the same manner in which one attacks others. 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. The coup gave the dictator a taste of his own medicine, subjecting him to torture and confinement in deplorable conditions.

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

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017