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REFERENCE

give as good as one gets

idiom
Meaning

To behave toward others in a manner resembling or commensurate with their behavior towards oneself, especially in a situation where one is insulted or otherwise ill-treated.


Examples
SIMPLE

She is tough and always gives as good as she gets.

CONTEXTUAL

When the other team started playing aggressively, our captain decided to give as good as she got.

COMPLEX

He learned early in his career that if he wanted to survive in such a competitive environment, he had to be prepared to give as good as he got.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a good deal

    Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.

  2. 02

    all good

    It's all good.

  3. 03

    as best one can

    In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.

  4. 04

    as far as one knows

    To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.

  5. 05

    as it gets

    As it is possible to be.

  6. 06

    back to square one

    Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.

  7. 07

    beat as one

    To share the same feelings.

  8. 08

    become one flesh

    To join together in marriage; to develop a unifying bond as a result of marrying.

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