Retaliation

to make someone feel extreme discomfort by helping them, being really generous, or by treating them too kindly, particularly someone who did one wrong

She decided to kill her grouchy neighbor with kindness, offering freshly baked cookies and help with gardening to mend their strained relationship.

to use methods or tactics similar to those of one's opponent in a fight or argument

When faced with a rival company's aggressive marketing campaign, our company had to fight fire with fire by launching an even more compelling advertising blitz.

a concept in which if someone harms one, one should harm them back in the same way

In the courtroom, the lawyer argued that the defendant should receive an eye for an eye punishment, mirroring the harm they had caused.

a hidden personal motive or agenda that someone holds

Her sudden interest in my problems seemed suspicious, like she might have an ax to grind and was just trying to gather information.

to angrily ask for a person or group to be punished or hurt

The fans were baying for blood after their team lost the championship game.

to have enough strength and confidence to match others' ferocity and intensity during an argument or a fight

When faced with unfair criticism, she gave as good as she got, calmly defending her point of view.

trying to punish, harm, or kill someone

In the final minutes of the game, the opposing team was out for blood, relentlessly attacking our defense.

to hurt or punish someone in a way that ensures one they will never repeat their past behavior

After his reckless driving caused an accident, he finally learned his lesson about the importance of safe driving.

used to show one's confidence in dealing with another person's behavior and using it to their disadvantage

When Sarah realized her coworker was spreading rumors about her, she decided that two could play that game and started sharing some of her own about him.

the action of taking revenge on someone for something unpleasant they did to one in order to get even or feel better

When Sarah helped John with his project, he decided to offer tit for tat and assist her with her upcoming presentation.

used when a person attempts to embarrass or humiliate someone but gets embarrassed or humiliated instead

He thought he was pranking his friend, but when he slipped on the banana peel himself, the joke was on him.

to decide to stop a particular activity or relationship

After years of working together, they decided to call it quits and pursue their own careers.

to make things fair by addressing a previous unfairness or imbalance

After losing the first game, the tennis player was determined to even the score in the second set.