a Roland for an Oliver

Meaning: (idiomatic)Equalmeasure;measure for measure;adequateresponse.1825,William Hazlitt, “Mr. Malthus”, inThe Spirit of the Age[…], London: Printed forHenry Colburn,[…],→OCLC:Mr. Godwin has lately attempted an answer to the Essay (thus giving Mr. Malthusa 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.1870May 21, “Complimentary Dinner to Captain[John]Hart, M.P., C.M.G.”, inThe South Australian Register, volume XXXIV, number7339, Adelaide, S.A.,→OCLC,page 5, column 5: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 hima Roland for an Oliver.1878,Robert Louis Stevenson, “Crabbed Age and Youth”, inVirginibus Puerisque and Other Papers, London:C[harles]Kegan Paul & Co.,[…], published1881,→OCLC,pages91–92: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.1919,W[illiam] Somerset Maugham, chapter XL, inThe Moon and Sixpence,[New York, N.Y.]:Grosset & Dunlap Publishers[…],→OCLC,page201: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 mea Roland for my Oliver.

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