return the favor
idiom
: to do something the same or similar in return for something done
He treats them well, and they return the favor.
Examples of return the favor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To thank the first responders for their efforts, neighborhood residents decided to return the favor with a gift four days later.
—
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Authorship is frequently gifted to colleagues who then return the favor later, or studies may be created out of whole cloth.
—Guillaume Cabanac, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2025
But hours later on Monday, in the Oval Office, Mr. Trump didn’t return the favor.
—Anton Troianovski, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Surround yourself with people who lift you up—and never forget to return the favor.
—Deepali Jamwal, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for return the favor 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Authorship is frequently gifted to colleagues who then return the favor later, or studies may be created out of whole cloth.
—Guillaume Cabanac, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2025
But hours later on Monday, in the Oval Office, Mr. Trump didn’t return the favor.
—Anton Troianovski, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Surround yourself with people who lift you up—and never forget to return the favor.
—Deepali Jamwal, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for return the favor
Dictionary Entries Near return the favor
Cite this Entry
“Return the favor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/return%20the%20favor. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share