tit for tat; eye for an eye
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
tit for tat; an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth; to retaliate in kind
This idiom originates from ancient legal codes (Code of Hammurabi and Hebrew Bible) and expresses the concept of exact retribution. In modern usage, it can carry negative connotations of revenge, though it also describes fair reciprocity.
Duì对
yú于
dí敌
rén人
de的
gōng攻
jī击
，
wǒ我
men们
jué决
dìng定
yǐ以
yǎn眼
huán还
yǎn眼
，
yǐ以
yá牙
huán还
yá牙
。
In response to the enemy's attack, we decided to fight fire with fire.
Tā他
yī一
xiàng向
zhǔ主
zhāng张
yǐ以
yǎn眼
huán还
yǎn眼
，
yǐ以
yá牙
huán还
yá牙
，
jué绝
bù不
yuán原
liàng谅
shāng伤
hài害
tā他
de的
rén人
。
He has always advocated an eye for an eye, and never forgives those who hurt him.
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Zài在
guó国
jì际
guān关
xì系
zhōng中
，
yǐ以
yǎn眼
huán还
yǎn眼
yǐ以
yá牙
huán还
yá牙
de的
zhèng政
cè策
wǎng往
wǎng往
dǎo导
zhì致
chōng冲
tū突
shēng升
jí级
。
In international relations, a tit-for-tat policy often leads to escalating conflicts.
Bù不
yào要
yǐ以
yǎn眼
huán还
yǎn眼
，
yǐ以
yá牙
huán还
yá牙
，
yào要
xué学
huì会
kuān宽
róng容
hé和
yuán原
liàng谅
。
Don't resort to tit-for-tat; learn to be tolerant and forgiving.