Don't get mad. Get even!

Question

This is a fairly common saying in English that was brought to mind by the Picture of the Day post of the pouncing kitten.

Maybe not for all but for me the use of vengarse (revenge) is too strong for this concept. To me it is more Estar a mano.

So: No enojarse. Estar a mano. or No se enoje. Esté a mano.

Infinitives vs. imperatives? Or am I completely off base?

Answer 1

I suppose it depends on how strong of a feeling you have when you say to "get even." I have always thought of it as a form of revenge, ie: He killed my dog so I killed his cat and I got even.

The context of estar a mano is more that of someone no longer owing someone else something such as a monetary debt, ie: Aquí tienes el último pago así es que ya estamos (quedamos) a mano.

Hmmm very good question and answer. Get even can be as strong as you mention, but it can be for much milder things, like verbal or practical jokes. I, and I suspect gringo, would like to know that level too. - rogspax, Oct 8, 2013

In the practical joke senario I would just say "Ya quedamos tal por cual" - 005faa61, Oct 8, 2013

Yeah, I am thinking much milder than revenge. Is quedamos tal por cual an idiomatic expression. - gringojrf, Oct 8, 2013

Gringo, "tal por cual"" is such a common expression that I have never thought of it as idiomatic, but I suppose you could call it that - 005faa61, Oct 9, 2013

Answer 2

One possibility: "¡no te enojes, desquítate!"

Answer 3

I have to agree with all that has been said ,--But, there is another way of getting "even"

which is not revenge . It is a Buddhist concept of sending " lovingkindness" to the

one that we perceive has wronged us , a way of getting "even" without hurting either party.

Answer 4

¡No te enojes...mejor véngate!

Is this closer?

You can say: No te enojes, mejor véngate. -- Uy! Se oye feo. El mundo da vueltas, así que no te manches tu alma y deja que las cosas se resuelvan solas! jajajaja Saludos, amigo! - 00e46f15, Dec 13, 2013

Yes enojarse is always reflexive. I forgot. - gringojrf, Dec 14, 2013

Answer 5

The reason I started this thread was I used to say: Don't get mad, don't get even...get more than even. I don't even want to try that one. lol.