get revenge

USAGE SUMMARY

'get revenge' is an appropriate phrase to use in written English.
It is often used to express a desire to make someone suffer in return for what they have done. Example sentence: After I discovered that my ex-boyfriend cheated on me, I wanted to get revenge.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Qassam Brigades, get revenge for us".

The New York Times

"He felt he had to get revenge".

The New York Times - Sports

She probably wants to get revenge".

The New York Times - Sports

They can't rest until they get revenge.

The New York Times

We will get revenge on those who killed my family.

Independent

"It would be nice to get revenge on that".

The New York Times

"We'd like to get revenge; we don't like to lose".

The New York Times - Sports

I've waited nine years to get revenge on George Bush.

The New York Times

I'm still trying to get revenge for that first year".

The New York Times

I get revenge by nice-ing people to death.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I lived to prove something, and to get revenge.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get revenge" when the context involves actively seeking to retaliate against someone for a perceived wrong. Be mindful of the tone and connotations, as it can imply a desire for harm or suffering.

Common error

Avoid using "get revenge" when a simple correction or resolution would suffice. Overreacting and seeking revenge can escalate conflicts and lead to unintended consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get revenge" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard English expression. Examples show it used to describe a planned or desired action of retaliation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

29%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get revenge" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of retaliating against someone, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans various contexts, from news reports to personal stories, with a neutral register. While the phrase is widely understood, alternative expressions like "seek vengeance" or "exact retribution" can offer nuanced ways to convey the same idea. It's important to consider the context and potential implications of revenge when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

settle the score

Implies a desire to even things out after being wronged.

seek vengeance

Implies a more deliberate and active pursuit of revenge.

make someone pay

Focuses on causing the offender to suffer consequences.

avenge oneself

Highlights the personal aspect of revenge, where someone is acting on their own behalf.

exact retribution

Focuses on the act of inflicting punishment or payback.

take retaliation

Suggests a direct and immediate response to an offense.

payback

Informal way to say you will return harm for harm.

vindicate oneself

Emphasizes proving oneself right by taking action against the wrongdoer.

repay in kind

Suggests returning a similar action or treatment, often negative.

return the favor

Can imply a vengeful act disguised as reciprocity.

FAQs

How to use "get revenge" in a sentence?

You can use "get revenge" to describe an action taken to retaliate against someone, for example: "After being betrayed, she plotted to "get revenge" on her former friend."

What can I say instead of "get revenge"?

You can use alternatives like "seek vengeance", "exact retribution", or "avenge oneself" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "get revenge" or "take revenge"?

Both ""get revenge"" and "take revenge" are grammatically correct and widely used, but "get revenge" is more common.

What's the difference between "get revenge" and "settle the score"?

"Get revenge" implies a more direct action to retaliate, while "settle the score" suggests evening things out or achieving a sense of balance after being wronged.