return the favour

Give back equally

To return the favour is to repay a kindness or helpful act with one of your own: She helped me move, so I'm returning the favour by watching her dog.

The phrase implies reciprocity—someone did something for you, and now you're evening the score.

Sometimes used ironically when the "favour" being returned is negative: He insulted me, so I returned the favour.

Also spelled return the favor.

pay backReturn money owed
pay offDischarge a debt
settle the scoreRepay a grievance
compensateMake up for
requiteReturn equivalent for

repay · make it up · reciprocate · quid pro quo · tit for tat · you owe me · mutual exchange · give-and-take · reimburse · mutual benefit · good turn · do right by · swap · obligation · debt of gratitude · even the score · thankfulness · ubuntu

Opposites

reciprocity

return the favourtake for granted

Assume without questioning

freeload · mooch

moral valence of response

return the favourstab in the back

Treachery against an ally

spit in someone's face · double-cross

generosity versus exploitation

return the favourtake advantage

Use opportunistically for benefit

leech

Family

return, favour, favor, returns, returned, returning, returnable, favours, favors

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G