get even
get even — idiom
1. to hurt or trouble someone as a way of paying them back for the harm they once d
to hurt or trouble someone as a way of paying them back for the harm they once did to you
Christopher swore he would get even with the neighbour who flattened his bike tyres.
get even with someone for a specific harm
After the cruel prank, Salma planned a quiet way to get even.
The two brothers kept trying to get even, so the feud never ended.
Don't waste your energy trying to get even with people who insult you.
Devika finally got even for years of being teased about her accent.
- get back at
very close in meaning and register; both informal
- take revenge
more formal and serious; fits written or dramatic contexts
- retaliate
formal; common in news and conflict reporting
- forgive
to stop feeling angry and choose not to punish
文法句型
get even with someone
get even for something
用法筆記
Object of revenge is marked with 'with' (the person) and 'for' (the wrong done): 'get even with him for the lie'. Carries a stronger, more deliberate tone than simply 'react' — the speaker wants to balance the score.