returned the favor

Verb

return the favor (third-person singular simple present returns the favor, present participle returning the favor, simple past and past participle returned the favor)

1. (idiomatic) To do something for someone, or to someone, similar to what they did for you or to you (whether good or bad).
   • I did some snow shoveling for him when he was ill, and he was kind enough to return the favor this year. [positive valence]