Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

a roland for an oliver

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.55 in modern English

Syllables: a roland -for an o-liv-er
IPA

25

Scrabble Score

18

Letters

4

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Equal measure; measure for measure; adequate response.

adv

So as to respond to an action with an equivalent action; tit for tat.

Example Sentences

"Mr. Godwin has lately attempted an answer to the Essay (thus giving Mr. Malthus a Roland for his Oliver) but we think he has judged ill in endeavouring to invalidate the principle, instead of confining himself to point out the misapplication of it."
"It was rather a ticklish matter to go into politics, but he [Hart] might speak on them generally, knowing that if he overstepped the mark he would be brought up standing. His friend on the right had a respected relative in the Ministry, and if he trod on his corns, or did what he should not, he would, as he had often done before, give him a Roland for an Oliver."
"It is held to be a good taunt, and somehow or other to clinch the question logically, when an old gentleman waggles his head and says: "Ah, so I thought when I was your age." It is not thought an answer at all, if the young man retorts: "My venerable sir, so I shall most probably think when I am yours." And yet the one is as good as the other: pass for pass, tit for tat, a Roland for an Oliver."
"I had to bite my lip to prevent myself from laughing. What he said had a hateful truth in it, and another defect of my character is that I enjoy the company of those, however depraved, who can give me a Roland for my Oliver."
"He responded to the insult a Roland for an Oliver, striking back just as hard."

Etymology

From the stories of Roland and Oliver, legendary knights of equal might.

Inflected Forms

Rolands for Olivers (plural)

Synonyms

eye for an eye tit for tat

Questions

What does a roland for an oliver mean?: Equal measure; measure for measure; adequate response.
Where does a roland for an oliver come from?: From the stories of Roland and Oliver, legendary knights of equal might.

How to pronounce a roland for an oliver

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “a roland for an oliver”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “a roland for an oliver”.
Repeat and practice — Say “a roland for an oliver” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.