taste of own medicine
taste of own medicine
Meaning
- when someone gets the same bad treatment that he has been giving others
- a sample of the unpleasantness that someone has been giving others
- do the same bad thing to a person who has done it to you
- when someone is mistreated the same way he has mistreated others
Example Sentences
- I’m tired of him always finding faults with me. I’m going to give him a taste of his own medicine.
- Its not for nothing that people are calling you names; you’re getting a taste of your own medicine.
- Don’t be rude to others. You won’t like it when you get a taste of your own medicine.
- The players of that team were hurling abuses at their opponents, but they didn’t like it when they got a taste of their own medicine from the fans.
- He is always late for appointments and keeps people waiting, so we decided to give him a taste of his own medicine.
- If he doesn’t change his behaviour by reasoning, he’s going to get a taste of his own medicine.
Origin
This origin of this phrase can be found in one of Aesop’s fables. It is about a swindler who sells fake medicine, claiming that it cures anything. When he himself falls ill, people give him his own medicine, which he knows will not cure him.
About the Author
Elena Jones holds a PhD in Education from Harvard University. She has extensive experience teaching at both the K–12 and university levels, with a particular focus on English as a Second Language. Elena has dedicated her career to advancing educational practices, and she has contributed to numerous educational journals.
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