repay (one) with (something)

repay (one) with (something)

1. To provide something to one as a means of compensating one for some service one rendered or debt one is owed. Said especially of something or some service that is given in lieu of money. Thank you for all the work you did on my behalf. I don't have much money, but I hope you'll let me repay you with a custom logo design for your business. It'll be years before I'm able to repay them for the loan they gave me.

2. To do or offer something that exhibits or indicates a complete lack of gratitude, regard, or esteem for one. (Sarcastic or ironic in its use.) I've tried my best to help you, and you repay me with insults and threats. It's clear that I am wasting my time with you. Jerry sacrificed a lot in order to be with Tom, and so far he has repaid him with nothing but controlling, condescending relationship.

3. To do or provide something as an act of vengeance or retribution against one. Don't worry about Fat Tony. We'll repay him pair of concrete shoes and a visit to the bottom of the Hudson River. My students have been giving me nothing but grief for the past two weeks, so I'm planning on repaying them with a pop-quiz worth 50% of their grade on Monday.

See also: repay

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

repay someone with something

to remunerate someone with something. The farmer's wife repaid the plumbers with fresh eggs and cream. We were repaid with fresh eggs from the farm.

See also: repay

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.