return Idiome

point of no return

(See the point of no return)

the point of no return

a time when it is too late to stop or turn back, change horses in... Our offer to purchase the business has been accepted. We've reached the point of no return.

in return

as repayment；as a reward回报；作为报酬
I hope I can be of some servise to you in return．但愿我能为你做点事作为报答。
What can we do for them in return for all the help they have given us？我们将怎样来报答他们所给我们的种种帮助呢？ I gave him some books in return for his assistance．我给了他一些书，作为对他所提供的帮助的回报。

in return (for)

return the compliment

1．say or do the same to sb． that he has said or done to one回敬
Mary said：“I love your new hairdo．” and Julie returned the compliment with“what a pretty dress you're wearing，Mary．”玛丽说：“我喜欢你的新发型。”朱丽回答说：“玛丽，你穿的衣服好漂亮啊。”
2． Pay sb． back回报；报复
Henry hit Jerry on the head，and Jerry returned the compliment．亨利打了杰里头上一拳，杰里也对亨利报以一拳。
revenge oneself（up）on…（for）get even with…for为…而向…报仇
Hamlet revenged himself on his uncle，for his father's death．哈姆雷特向叔父报了杀父之仇。
He is sure to revenge himself on anyone who dares to bully or insult him．对胆敢欺负和侮辱他的人，他是一定要报复的。

return the favor

Idiom(s): return the favor

Theme: RECIPROCITY

to do a good deed for someone who has done a good deed for you.
• You helped me last week, so I'll return the favor and help you this week.
• There is no point in helping Bill. He'll never return the favor.

by return mail

Idiom(s): by return mail

Theme: POSTAL

by a subsequent mailing (back to the sender). (A phrase indicating that an answer is expected soon, by mail.)
• Since this bill is overdue, would you kindly send us your check by return mail?
• I answered your request by return mail over a year ago. Please check your records.

return one's compliment

Idiom(s): return the compliment AND return someone's compliment

Theme: RECIPROCITY

to pay a compliment to someone who has paid you a compliment.
• Mary told me that my hair looked nice, so I returned her compliment and told her that her hair was lovely.
• When someone says something nice, it is polite to return the compliment.

Many happy returns

This expression is used to wish someone a happy birthday.

in return|return

adv. phr. In order to give back something; as payment; in recognition or exchange.

Often used with "for". Bud gave me his knife and I gave him marbles in return. The lady helped Mother when she was sick and in return Mother often invited her to dinner. How much did John give you in return for your bicycle? I hit him in return for the time he hit me. I wrote Dad a letter and got a package in return.

return the compliment|compliment|return

v. phr. To say or do the same to someone that he has said or done to you; pay someone back. Mary said, "I love your new hairdo" and Suzy returned the compliment with "What a pretty dress you're wearing, Mary." John punched Jerry in the nose, and Jerry returned the compliment.

return

return
In addition to the idioms beginning with return, also see in return; many happy returns; point of no return.
* * *
- return the compliment
- return to the fold

return to the fold

return to the fold
Come back to a group after an absence, as in Matthew taught for a number of years, but now he's returned to the fold as vice-president of the firm. This term employs fold in the sense of “an enclosure for sheep,” which has been used figuratively since the first half of the 1300s.

More Idioms/Phrases

restoration resurrection retail retainer retreat retrospect return return to the fold rev up revenge reverse rhetorical question rheumatic rhyme rhyme or reason, no rib