give someone a taste of their own medicine; hoist with one's own petard
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
historical allusion to Lai Junchen trapping Zhou Xing in his own scheme
formalOriginating from the Tang Dynasty, recorded in "Zizhi Tongjian" (唐则天后天授二年). Lai Junchen invited Zhou Xing to enter the very jar torture device Zhou had suggested for others.
The story of "Please, sir, enter the jar" teaches us that those who harm others will ultimately harm themselves.
"Zizhi Tongjian" records the allusion of 'please enter the jar'.
verb
to use someone's own trick against them; to give someone a taste of their own medicine
formalFigurative usage based on the historical allusion. Often used in contexts where someone's harmful scheme backfires on them.
He often used such methods to frame others; now he has brought it upon himself—truly a case of giving someone a taste of their own medicine.
The police set a trap, letting the criminal walk right into it—truly inviting the gentleman into the jar.
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If you use such despicable means to deal with others, sooner or later you will be hoist with your own petard and reap what you have sown.