turnabout is fair play
The phrase "turnabout is fair play" originates from the notion of fair and equal retaliation, often used to justify reciprocal actions.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)It is justifiable to reciprocate similar actions or treatment that one has received.
Example
- If he played a prank on you first, then turnabout is fair play.
C1Ethics
(informal)Responding in kind to a previous action or injustice is considered morally acceptable.
Example
- After being cheated, she felt turnabout is fair play and decided to cheat him back.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "turnabout is fair play":
fair playwhat's good for the goose is good for the ganderfair crack of the whipfair gametit for tatwhat goes around comes aroundfair gono fairturn aboutfair and square