Phrase guide

get even

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To inflict trouble or harm on another in return, typically the same as that inflicted on oneself.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

compensate; make the score equal

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: equalize, equalise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: score, hit, tally, rack up

3

verb

Meaning 3

take revenge or even out a score

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I cannot accept the defeat--I want to get even

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: get back

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: revenge, avenge, retaliate

Narrower terms: pay back, pay off, get, fix

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

23 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 算帳 /算帐 (suànzhàng) — get revenge
  • Finnish: päästä tasoihin — get revenge
  • Finnish: tasoittaa — get revenge
  • French: se venger — get revenge
  • French: prendre sa revanche — get revenge
  • French: rendre la monnaie de sa pièce — get revenge
  • Italian: pareggiare i conti — get revenge
  • Japanese: 仕返しする (shikaeshi suru) — get revenge
  • Latin: hostiō — get revenge
  • Occitan: se venjar — get revenge
  • Occitan: se revenjar — get revenge
  • Russian: свести́ счёты (svestí sčóty) — get revenge
  • Russian: рассчита́ться (rassčitátʹsja) — get revenge
  • Russian: расквита́ться (raskvitátʹsja) — get revenge
  • Russian: поквита́ться (pokvitátʹsja) — get revenge
  • Scottish Gaelic: faigh do latha fhèin air — get revenge
  • Spanish: desquitarse — get revenge
  • Thai: แก้แค้น (gɛ̂ɛ-kɛ́ɛn) — get revenge
  • Thai: ล้างแค้น (láang-kɛ́ɛn) — get revenge
  • Thai: เอาคืน (ao-kʉʉn) — get revenge
  • Thai: คิดบัญชี (kít-ban-chii) — get revenge
  • Thai: เช็กบิล (chék-bin) — get revenge
  • Turkish: ödeşmek — get revenge