When it comes to reciprocating a favor or gesture, sometimes words fail to capture the essence of the action. That’s where slang for reciprocate comes in handy. Whether you’re looking to thank someone in a cool and casual way or simply want to express your gratitude with a twist, our team has compiled a list of trendy terms that will take your reciprocation game to the next level. Get ready to up your slang game and show your appreciation in style!
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1. Tit for tat
This phrase refers to a situation where one person responds to another’s action with a similar action. It implies that if someone does something for you, you should do something in return.
- For example, if someone helps you move, you might say, “I’ll help you next time, tit for tat.”
- In a negotiation, one party might say, “If you give us a discount, we’ll give you more business. It’s tit for tat.”
- A friend might jokingly say, “You ate my fries? Well, tit for tat, I’m eating your pizza.”
2. Scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours
This phrase suggests that if you do something for someone, they will do something for you in return. It emphasizes the idea of mutual benefit and cooperation.
- For instance, if you help a coworker with a project, they might say, “Thanks for scratching my back. I’ll scratch yours next time.”
- In a team setting, one member might say, “Let’s all work together and scratch each other’s backs to get this done.”
- A parent might tell their child, “If you clean your room, I’ll let you stay up late. It’s a scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours situation.”
3. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours
This phrase expresses the idea that if you do something for someone, they will do something for you in return. It highlights the concept of reciprocity and mutual assistance.
- For example, if a friend helps you move, you might say, “Thanks for your help. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”
- In a business partnership, one party might say, “Let’s support each other’s goals. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”
- A coworker might suggest, “If you cover my shift today, I’ll cover yours next week. It’s a you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours arrangement.”
4. Quid pro quo
This Latin phrase means “something for something” and refers to an exchange or trade where one party gives something in return for something else. It implies a reciprocal arrangement.
- For instance, in a negotiation, one party might say, “We’re willing to offer you a discount, but we expect a quid pro quo.”
- In a political context, a politician might propose, “I’ll support your bill if you support mine. It’s a quid pro quo.”
- A business deal might involve a quid pro quo where one company provides a service in exchange for another company’s product.
5. Return the favor
This phrase suggests repaying a kind or helpful action with a similar action. It emphasizes the idea of reciprocating a favor or showing gratitude.
- For example, if a friend helps you move, you might say, “Thanks, I’ll return the favor when you need help.”
- In a social setting, one person might say, “You bought me a drink? I’ll return the favor and get the next round.”
- A coworker might say, “You covered my shift last week? I’ll return the favor and cover yours next time.”
6. Recip
To respond to someone’s action or gesture by doing something similar in return. “Recip” is a shortened form of “reciprocate” commonly used in casual conversations.
- For instance, a person might say, “Thanks for inviting me to your party. I’ll make sure to recip next time.”
- In a discussion about giving and receiving, someone might comment, “It’s important to recip when someone does something nice for you.”
- A user might ask, “How do you feel when someone doesn’t reciprocate your efforts?”
7. Give and take
The concept of give and take refers to a balanced exchange of actions or contributions between two or more parties. It implies that both parties are willing to give something and receive something in return.
- For example, in a relationship, there needs to be a give and take for it to be healthy and sustainable.
- In a discussion about negotiation, someone might say, “Successful negotiations require a give and take from both sides.”
- A user might post, “Finding the right balance of give and take is key in any partnership.”
8. Do unto others as they do unto you
This phrase suggests that a person should treat others the way they are treated. It implies that if someone does something positive or negative to you, you should respond in kind.
- For instance, a person might say, “If they’re going to be rude to me, I’ll do unto others as they do unto me.”
- In a discussion about revenge, someone might comment, “The ‘do unto others as they do unto you’ mentality can perpetuate a cycle of negativity.”
- A user might ask, “Do you believe in the concept of ‘do unto others as they do unto you’?”
9. Eye for an eye
This phrase suggests that someone should be punished in a similar manner to the harm they have caused. It implies seeking revenge or seeking justice by inflicting the same harm on the person who caused it.
- For example, a person might say, “He stole from me, so I’m going to take an eye for an eye.”
- In a discussion about justice systems, someone might argue, “The ‘eye for an eye’ approach is outdated and promotes a cycle of violence.”
- A user might post, “Do you think ‘eye for an eye’ is a fair way to seek justice?”
10. Reciprocate the love
This phrase means to show the same level of love and affection that someone has shown to you. It implies reciprocating the feelings and actions of someone who loves or cares for you.
- For example, if someone says “I love you” to you, you can respond by saying “I reciprocate the love.”
- In a romantic relationship, one partner might say, “I appreciate how you always reciprocate the love I give you.”
- A friend might express gratitude by saying, “Thank you for always reciprocating the love and support I offer you.”
11. Pay back
This phrase means to return something, usually money or a favor, that you owe to someone. It implies reciprocating an action or returning a favor that has been done for you.
- For instance, if someone lends you money, you can say “I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”
- If a friend helps you move, you might say, “I owe you one, I’ll definitely pay you back.”
- In a business setting, someone might say, “I’ll make sure to pay you back for your hard work on this project.”
12. Trade off
This phrase means to give up or exchange something in return for something else. It implies a mutual exchange or alternating between two options or actions.
- For example, in a negotiation, you might say, “Let’s trade off some of our demands to reach a compromise.”
- When deciding on a schedule, one person might suggest, “Let’s trade off weekends for this task.”
- In a conversation about work-life balance, someone might say, “I trade off extra hours at work for more time with my family.”
13. Give as good as you get
This phrase means to respond to someone’s actions or behavior in a similar or equal manner. It implies matching someone’s behavior or treatment towards you.
- For instance, if someone insults you, you might say, “I can give as good as I get.”
- In a competitive situation, someone might say, “Don’t underestimate me, I can give as good as I get.”
- When discussing relationships, a person might say, “It’s important to find someone who can give as good as they get in terms of love and support.”
14. Match the effort
This phrase means to put in the same amount of effort or energy as someone else. It implies matching or reciprocating the level of dedication or work that someone has put into a task or relationship.
- For example, if someone is working hard on a project, you might say, “I’ll make sure to match the effort.”
- In a team setting, a leader might encourage their members by saying, “Let’s all match the effort and give it our best.”
- When discussing relationships, someone might say, “It’s important to be with someone who can match your effort and commitment.”
15. Mutual benefit
When two or more parties benefit from an action or agreement. It implies a sense of fairness and balance in the exchange.
- For example, “Let’s collaborate on this project for mutual benefit.”
- In a negotiation, one might say, “We need to find a solution that results in mutual benefit.”
- A business partnership can be described as “a relationship built on mutual benefit.”
16. Same here
Used to express agreement and indicate that the speaker shares the same sentiment or experience as the person they are talking to. It implies reciprocity in thoughts or feelings.
- For instance, if someone says, “I love this song,” you can respond with “Same here!”
- When discussing a shared dislike, one might say, “I can’t stand Mondays.” The other person can respond with “Same here.”
- If someone expresses excitement about a movie, you can say, “I’m looking forward to it too. Same here!”
17. In kind
When something is reciprocated or returned in a similar or equivalent way. It implies a response that matches the original action or favor.
- For example, if someone does something nice for you, you can say, “I’ll repay you in kind.”
- When discussing revenge, one might say, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. We’ll get back at them in kind.”
- If someone offers you help, you can respond with, “Thank you, I’ll do the same in kind.”
18. Do the favor
When someone does a favor for you and you reciprocate by doing a favor for them in return. It implies an act of kindness or assistance that is done in response to a previous favor.
- For instance, if someone helps you move, you can say, “Let me know if you need any help in the future. I’ll do the favor.”
- When discussing a favor exchange, one might say, “We have a system of doing favors for each other. It’s all about doing the favor.”
- If someone asks for a favor and you agree to help, you can say, “Consider it done. I’ll do the favor.”