a dose of (one's) own 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 or 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.

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]

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.

own medicine, a dose/taste of one's

Repayment in kind; tit for tat. Although the idea is hardly new, the medicinal metaphor dates only from the late nineteenth century. V. Perdue used it in The Singing Clock (1941): “It was only fair for them to get a taste of their own medicine.”