He gave her a Roland for an Oliver after she insulted him.
a Roland for an Oliver
idiomEqual measure; measure for measure; adequate response.
Origin
disputed originFrom the stories of Roland and Oliver, legendary knights of equal might.
When the rival company lowered their prices, our manager gave them a Roland for an Oliver by launching a massive discount campaign.
The political debate turned into a series of sharp retorts, with each candidate determined to provide a Roland for an Oliver until the very end of the broadcast.
Last updated April 17, 2026