VOA · Words and Their Stories
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Words and Their Stories is VOA's classic program about American English expressions and idioms — where phrases like 'break the ice' come from and how to use them. Native-like idioms in slow, clear speech: a rare combination for learners.
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01And now, words and their stories from VOA Learning English.
02Today, we talk to you about expressions dealing with payback, getting even, and revenge.
03When a person wants to even the score, that person might have the proverb, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, in mind.
04The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary describes it as a repayment in kind, as revenge for an injustice.
05In kind means in the same way.
06The expression, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, is ancient.
07It appears in the Bible and in the Code of Hammurabi, a set of laws written by the ancient Babylonian king of that name.
08An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth describes a way of thinking.
09It is the idea that retaliating in kind is the best way to deal with a crime or some other offense.
10It is the idea that a person who causes someone to suffer should suffer in the same amount and in the same way.
11For example, if someone did something to hurt you, you would want to hurt them equally.
12To remind others of the proverb, people often simply say, an eye for an eye.
13For some people, every second counts when they are looking to settle a score.
14For others, the revenge method might require patience.
15Some people wait years or a lifetime to get their revenge.
16The way people settle the score can be very different.
17Some cultures have this expression, revenge is a dish best served cold.
18The idea is that settling the score over time, without emotion, is the best way.
19A similar expression is tit for tat.
20Tit for tat is often used to describe diplomatic disagreements between nations.
21It is hundreds of years old.
22Both tit and tat mean the same thing, a strike or a blow.
23Experts say the expression changed from tip for tap to its present form after years of sound changes in the English language.
24Tit for tat literally means blow for blow.
25Merriam-Webster says it is an equal return given for some wrong that's been done.
26Now, let's hear two friends use some revenge expressions.
27Did you hear what happened to Tom?
28Someone slashed his tires.
29It cost him hundreds of dollars to replace the ruined tires.
30That sounds awful.
31Does he know who did it?
32He suspects it was his ex-girlfriend, Diana.
33Why?
34Well, he scratched up the paint on her car last week.
35I'm still friends with Diana, and she told me a security camera caught him doing it.
36It cost her hundreds of dollars to repaint her car.
37Well, it sounds like they're even now.
38You know, an eye for an eye and all that.
39And that's words and their stories.
40Until next time, I'm Ana Mateo.
41I'm Ana Mateo.
42I'm Ana Mateo.
43I'm Ana Mateo.
44I'm Ana Mateo.
45I'm Ana Mateo.
46I'm Ana Mateo.
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