“One good turn deserves another”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase One good turn deserves another means that if someone does you a favor or a kind act, it is appropriate to return the favor to them in a similar manner.
Tone The tone of the phrase is positive and encouraging, promoting kindness, reciprocity, and good manners.
Where it comes from
The exact origin of the phrase is not definitively known, but it has been a part of English language proverbs for many centuries and is thought to have originated from older moral or ethical teachings about the importance of reciprocating kindness.
Examples
- After lending her book to John, Emily received a nice gift from him, proving that one good turn deserves another.
- When Tom helped repair his neighbor’s car for free, his neighbor offered to help him with his gardening, showing how one good turn deserves another.
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