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eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth

To take retribution or give penalty similar to the original offense or fault

Etymology:

  • This idiom is mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible (Exodus 21:23). It is often practiced to summarize its severe policy. This idiom demonstrates that every offense or harm should be chastised or remunerated back with the same exchange of unkind dealings.
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Anna took Sara's new watch because Sara took Anna's new sunglasses. That’s what we call an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

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Submitted on February 25, 2019

Modified by TriplePurple on April 11, 2024

Translation

Find a translation for the eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth phrase in other languages:

occhio per occhio e dente per dente

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth

fair and squareeye-openerfar and awayfar and awayeye catchingeye of the stormeveryone and their brothereye-openereye upeveryone and his brothereye poppingeveryone and their dogeverybody and their brothereye candy

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    "eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 20 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/eye-for-an-eye-and-a-tooth-for-a-tooth_44646>.

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