returning the favor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "returning the favor" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone does something for you and you want to thank them or do something for them back. For example, "My friend bought me dinner, so I decided to return the favor by buying him ice cream."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now, the Republicans are returning the favor.

The New York Times

Maybe Johnson was merely returning the favor.

The New York Times - Sports

He was only returning the favor.

The New York Times - Sports

Now the limbs are returning the favor.

The New York Times - Books

Now, King is returning the favor.

The New York Times

Until one day the house began returning the favor.

The New York Times

"Democrats played it against President Bush, and Republicans are returning the favor.

The New York Times

Mr. Medvedev, returning the favor, said the meeting had been "very pleasant for me".

The New York Times

On the evidence here, Mr. Bahrami is returning the favor in fine style.

The New York Times - Arts

By the late 1980s, the fast-food industry was returning the favor.

The New York Times - Food

So I'm returning the favor and am dedicating myself to appearing indispensible to the gig.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "returning the favor" when you want to emphasize a direct reciprocal action as a response to a kindness or service received. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the original favor was and how it's being reciprocated.

Common error

Avoid using "returning the favor" in situations where the action is not a direct response to a previous kindness. It's not appropriate for unrelated acts of goodwill or general expressions of gratitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "returning the favor" functions as a verbal phrase indicating reciprocation. It often serves as a justification or explanation for an action, showing that it's being done in response to a previous kindness or service. This aligns with Ludwig's observation that the phrase is commonly used to express reciprocal actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "returning the favor" is a very common and correct way to express reciprocation in English. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is sound, and its primary function is to justify or explain an action as a response to a previous kindness. While it's commonly used in News & Media and Sports contexts, it's suitable for diverse communication situations, maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates what the original favor was and how it's being reciprocated to avoid any misunderstanding. Alternative phrases like "reciprocating the kindness" or "responding in kind" can be used in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returning the gesture

Specifically refers to reciprocating a symbolic act or expression.

returning the courtesy

Specifically refers to reciprocating a polite or respectful act.

responding in kind

Focuses on mirroring the original action with a similar one.

reciprocating the action

Highlights that the action of returning the favor mirrors the original action.

reciprocating the kindness

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of responding to a kind act.

giving back in equal measure

Emphasizes the equality and balance of the reciprocal action.

doing something in return

A more general and straightforward way of expressing the idea of giving back.

paying back the debt

Highlights the obligation aspect of returning a favor, suggesting a sense of duty.

making it up to someone

A way to show gratitude and compensation for kindness.

settling the score

This refers to fixing an imbalance by doing something in return.

FAQs

How can I use "returning the favor" in a sentence?

You can use "returning the favor" to describe reciprocating an act of kindness. For example, "Since she helped me move, I'm "returning the favor" by watching her kids this weekend."

What's a formal alternative to "returning the favor"?

In a formal setting, you might use phrases like "reciprocating the kindness", "offering a similar service in return", or "responding in kind".

Is it always necessary to "return the favor" immediately?

While immediate reciprocation can be appreciated, it's not always necessary or feasible. The gesture of "doing something in return" at a later time can be just as meaningful, as long as it's genuine.

What's the difference between "returning the favor" and "paying it forward"?

"Returning the favor" implies a direct reciprocation to someone who helped you, while "paying it forward" means doing a kindness for someone else, with the expectation that they will, in turn, do something kind for others. "Returning the gesture" is a closed-loop of kindness while paying it forward is a chain reaction.