Tit for tat is an expression that refers to actions done intentionally to punish someone for something harmful that has been done to them. It can be likened to taking a revenge on somebody for their wrong deeds.
There are certain relationships; friendship or marriage that run on the philosophy of tit for tat. This type of philosophy will often ruin relationships. This is because there is an already established and on-going pattern that for every hurt, delay, setback, and so on, caused by the other, there must be a retaliation of what was done.
There is nothing wrong with being the first to make a change to that pattern. You must not always payback whatever harm that was done to you just to get even. Sometimes it is best to repay good for evil done to you.
Annie Watson
