score-settling
Getting even finally
Score-settling is the act of retaliating against someone for a past wrong or perceived slight.
The metaphor treats grievances as debts to be balanced: The assassination was political score-settling, not random violence.
The term often implies the revenge is petty, disproportionate, or overdue: The memoir read like score-settling with old rivals.
Punishing a wrongdoer
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
vendetta · reprisal · getting even · comeuppance · reckoning · avenging · tit-for-tat · nemesis
Direct hostile encounter
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
feud · rivalry · adversary · nemesis · antagonist · enemies · final reckoning · ultimatum
Pursuing owed payments
- repaymentGiving back what's owed
- outstanding balanceSum still due
- ledgerFinancial record book
- accounts receivableDebts owed to business
arrears · creditor · debtor · overdue payment · collection agency · final payment · invoice · reconciliation
revenge
Punishing a wrongdoer
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
grudge · vendetta · reprisal · getting even · comeuppance · reckoning · avenging · tit-for-tat · nemesis · vindication
confrontation
Direct hostile encounter
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
clash · feud · rivalry · adversary · nemesis · antagonist · enemies · final reckoning · ultimatum · winner-take-all
debt collection
Pursuing owed payments
- repaymentGiving back what's owed
- outstanding balanceSum still due
- ledgerFinancial record book
accounts receivable · arrears · creditor · debtor · overdue payment · collection agency · final payment · invoice · reconciliation · dues
- retributionretribution, revenge, payback, vengeance, retaliation
score-settlingforgiveness
Releasing resentment toward offenders
pardoning · absolution · clemency · mercy · amnesty
score-settlingmagnanimity
Generous, noble spirit
graciousness · benevolence · goodwill · big-heartedness · rising above
score-settlingreconciliation
Restoration of friendly relations
peacemaking · conciliation · mediation · rapprochement · healing
score, settle, scores, settlement, settling, settler, unsettled, scoring, unsettle