Today’s idiom is “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours“.
Sometimes people are are incapable of doing something, so they will look for someone who has that ability. They will look for help
“You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” means that if you do me a favor, I will return the favor for you. This is the concept of reciprocity.
The term “back scratching” is related to this phrase and simply means to do a favor.
There is a more formal way of saying this using the Latin phrase, quid pro quo, which means “something for something”. Occasionally we use Latin phrases in English, and this is a good one to learn. It is often used in a political context.
Another way this phrase could be used is in the context of blackmail. If you have some bad information on someone and they have bad information on you, this phrase could be used to say that you’ll keep quite on their transgression you keep quite about theirs.
Does Chinese have a way of expressing this idea? If so, please leave a comment to explain it.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
yes, 投桃報李, which means if you give me a peach, i can give you a plum in return.
@Jenny,
Hey, I like that!
Here’s one that possibly goes along with that thought: No such thing as a free lunch. Somebody’s got to pay, and it might have to be you. Nothing is without cost.
Still enjoying your posts.
@Darrell.
“There is no free lunch” is a good one! I’ve added that to my list of future topics. I just wish our representatives in Washington D.C. knew about “no free lunch”!
I’m glad that you enjoy the posts!
Hi,
Do you know who I can contact to get a copy of the monkey image showing back scratching please ?
I don’t recall where I found the photo as it has been awhile.
Sorry.
ok thanks
you’re welcome.