Cool MateOne ill turn deserves another vs Vengeance
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
One ill turn deserves another
Vengeance
| One ill turn deserves another | Vengeance | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wʌn ɪl tɜrn dɪˈzɜrvz əˈnʌðər//🇺🇸 //wʌn ɪl tɜrn dɪˈzɜrvz əˈnʌðər// | 🇬🇧 //ˈvɛn.dʒəns//🇺🇸 //ˈvɛn.dʒəns// |
| Meaning | If someone does something bad, they should expect bad in return. | Seeking punishment or harm for a wrong done to you. |
| Example | After he cheated me, I believe one ill turn deserves another. | He sought vengeance for the betrayal by confronting his former friend. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | ill turn, deserves another, one ill turn | seek vengeance, vow vengeance, avenge with vengeance, vengeance and justice, the spirit of vengeance |
| Antonyms | - | forgiveness, pardon, reconciliation, compassion |
| Common mistakes | Incorrectly using 'turn' in other contexts., Misquoting the phrase., Using it without understanding the context of retaliation. | Confused with 'revenge'; revenge is an action, vengeance is a more formal concept., Used in inappropriate humorous contexts., Mixed up with 'vengeful', which describes a person rather than the act. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when discussing revenge or retribution. It can be informal, so be cautious in formal settings. | Used in serious contexts, often associated with justice or revenge. Avoid in casual conversation. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: One ill turn deserves another vs Vengeance
What's the difference between One ill turn deserves another and Vengeance?
One ill turn deserves another: If someone does something bad, they should expect bad in return. Vengeance: Seeking punishment or harm for a wrong done to you.
Which is more formal: One ill turn deserves another and Vengeance?
Vengeance is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: One ill turn deserves another and Vengeance?
Vengeance is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
One ill turn deserves another: After he cheated me, I believe one ill turn deserves another. Vengeance: He sought vengeance for the betrayal by confronting his former friend.
Can I use One ill turn deserves another and Vengeance interchangeably?
Not always. One ill turn deserves another and Vengeance are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.