pay something back/return something with interest

return it with interest

To punish or retaliate against someone with an action that is more harmful or negative than what they did originally. After she found out he broke her computer, she returned it with interest by smashing his computer, TV, and video game console

See also: interest, return

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

pay something back/return something with ˈinterest

react to the harm somebody has done to you by doing something even worse to them: Peter pushed his sister, so she paid him back with interest by kicking him hard.

Interest is the extra money you receive or pay when you lend or borrow money.

See also: back, interest, pay, return, something

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