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Phrase(s): Live by the sword, die by the sword.
Prov. If you use violence against other people, you can expect to have violence used against you.; You can expect to become a victim of whatever means you use to get what you want. (Biblical.) • The gang leader who organized so many murders was eventually murdered himself. Live by the sword, die by the sword. • Bill liked to spread damaging gossip about other people, until he lost all his friends because of some gossip that was spread about him. Live by the sword, die by the sword.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs