settle the score
Exact delayed revenge
To settle the score is to get revenge or achieve payback for a past wrong.
The metaphor comes from evening up a tally—if someone has one over on you, you settle the score by getting one back: He'd been waiting years to settle the score with his old rival.
Also settle scores.
- avengePunish on behalf of
- take revengeReturn harm for harm
- get evenExact reciprocal harm
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- reprisalPunitive action in return
pay someone back · reckoning · day of reckoning · showdown · have it out · get back at · vindication · vendetta · reciprocation · eye for an eye · comeuppance · retaliation · redress · justice · punishment · retribution · resolution · finality
- retributionretribution, revenge, payback, vengeance, retaliation
settle the scoreforgive
Cease to blame
forgive and forget · turn the other cheek · pardon · show mercy · let it go
settle the scoremake peace
Resolve conflict between parties
bury the hatchet · reconcile · make amends · mend fences · shake hands
settle, score, settled, settling, settler, settlers, settlement, settlements, unsettle