return the compliment
to behave towards someone in the same way as they have behaved towards you

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

return the compliment
1.
to do something for someone because they have done something for you.
Our neighbors looked after the house while we were away, and we'll return the compliment when they go on vacation.

2.
to do or say something unfriendly to someone because they have made you angry.
The batter was thrown out of the game, so he returned the compliment by calling the umpire a fool.

Related vocabulary: return the favor

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

return the compliment
to pay a compliment to someone who has paid you a compliment
I returned the compliment to my colleague who began to praise my work.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

return the compliment
v. phr. To say or do the same to someone that he has said or done to you; pay someone back.
Mary said, "I love your new hairdo" and Suzy returned the compliment with "What a pretty dress you're wearing, Mary."
John punched Jerry in the nose, and Jerry returned the compliment.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲