Get a taste of your own medicine

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase Get a taste of your own medicine, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression Get a taste of your own medicine used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "Get a taste of your own medicine"

Meaning

The phrase 'get a taste of your own medicine' is generally used to indicate that someone has experienced what they inflicted on someone else. It implies a sense of justice or retribution, usually in a humorous way, as punishment for a wrong they have committed.

Etymology

The exact origin of the phrase is unclear, with some sources suggesting it may have been derived from an old English proverb, 'He that takes medicine must take his own physic or have a taste of his own medicine', dating back to 1670. However, the phrase does not appear in any print sources before the 19th century. The earliest known written use of the phrase was in Alfred Elwall's 1866 novel, 'The Belmore Family', where it was used in a metaphorical sense to describe a situation in which someone suffers the consequences of their own choices.

Usage

The phrase is most commonly used in a casual context to indicate that someone has experienced the same unpleasant treatment that they previously inflicted on someone else. It can be used to express a feeling of justice or retribution, as a way of punishing someone for their wrongdoing. It can also be used in a comedic way, as a way of poking fun at someone who has done something wrong. It is commonly used in responses to someone who has taken advantage of someone else, such as in the phrase, 'What goes around, comes around'.

Example Sentences

• I heard that after trying to cheat on his wife, he got a taste of his own medicine when she cheated on him.
• Serves her right for being so mean to others - she got a taste of her own medicine.
• After trying to make a fool out of someone else, he got a taste of his own medicine when he was the one laughed at.

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.