taste of one's own medicine
Harsh treatment inflicted on one who previously inflicted similar or equivalent treatment on others.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He was rude, so he got a taste of his own medicine.”
“After the manager spent all week criticizing our work, we gave him a taste of his own medicine by pointing out his mistakes.”
“The bully finally received a taste of his own medicine when his peers began to mock his behavior with the same cruelty he had shown them.”
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
acquired taste
Something that is appreciated only after having initially been regarded as unappealing or unpleasant; a person who is regarded as difficult or dislikable but of whom at least some have grown to approve.
- 04
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 05
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 06
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 07
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 08
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
Last updated August 10, 2026