return the favor
To do something for someone similar to what they did for you.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He helped me move, so I want to return the favor.”
“She watched my dog last weekend, so I offered to return the favor by picking up her groceries.”
“After the neighbor provided crucial support during the crisis, he felt a deep moral obligation to return the favor when the opportunity eventually arose.”
- 01
curry favor
To seek to gain favor by flattery or attention.
- 02
diminishing returns
A condition in which additional inputs into an organization, project or process produce progressively fewer or lower-quality additional outputs, and may, in extreme cases, cause the total quantity or quality of outputs to decrease.
- 03
do me a favour
Expressing incredulity.
- 04
many happy returns
A greeting, usually for birthdays, in reference to the passing year; Happy birthday!
- 05
not do someone any favors
To reflect badly on or to hurt in some way.
- 06
not do someone any favours
Alternative form of not do someone any favors.
- 07
return to form
A return to a former state of success or brilliance.
- 08
return to one's muttons
To get back to the business at hand.
Last updated August 10, 2026