score settling
Getting even later
Score settling is the act of retaliating against someone for a past grievance or wrong.
The phrase treats interpersonal conflicts like accounts that must be balanced: The firing looked like score settling after their public disagreement.
Often implies the response is disproportionate or petty rather than justified.
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
- vendettaProlonged retaliatory conflict
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- getting evenReciprocating a wrong
- grudgePersistent resentment toward someone
axe to grind · retaliation · retribution · vengeance · feud · blood feud · bad blood · reckoning · day of reckoning · nemesis · bitter · confrontation · ambush · betrayal · blood · debt · old · long memory
- vengeancerevenge, vengeance, vendetta, retribution, retaliation
- revengeretaliation, payback, vengeance, vendetta, blood feud
- office politicsoffice politics, backstabbing, power plays, favoritism, nepotism
score settlingforgiveness
Releasing resentment toward offenders
letting go · absolution · mercy · clemency · amnesty
score settlingmagnanimity
Generous, noble spirit
graciousness · unconditional love · benevolence · goodwill · open-heartedness
score settlingreconciliation
Restoration of friendly relations
peacemaking · rapprochement · mediation · conflict resolution · bridge-building
score, settling, scores, scored, scoring, scorer, scorers, settle, settles