A Taste of Your Own Medicine (Origin)

by Craig Shrives

What Is the Origin of the Saying "A Taste of Your Own Medicine"?

The term "to get a taste of your own medicine" means "to be mistreated just as you have mistreated others."

"To get a taste of your own medicine" comes from one of Aesop's Fables. (Aesop was a Greek storyteller credited with a number of fables, which are now known as Aesop's Fables. He lived 620-564 BC). This specific fable relates to a swindler who sold fake medicine, claiming that it could cure any ailment. When the swindler himself became ill, people gave him his own medicine, which he knew would not work.

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A Taste of Your Own Medicine (Origin)

Examples of Use:

  • After constantly teasing others, he finally got a taste of his own medicine when someone played a prank on him.
  • She had been spreading rumours about her classmates, but when the tables turned, she got a taste of her own medicine and experienced the consequences of her actions.
  • He had been ignoring others' opinions for a long time, but now he was facing a taste of his own medicine as his ideas were dismissed.
  • She always took credit for others' work, but this time she was given a taste of her own medicine when someone else claimed her achievements.
  • He had been bullying his classmates, but when he became the target of bullying, he finally understood a taste of his own medicine.

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See Also

What are idioms? What is figurative language? A list of common grammar errors A list of easily confused words A list of sayings and proverbs