one can dish it out, but one can't take it

phrase

One is able to express thoughts, criticism, or insults towards others, but cannot accept being on the receiving end of the same treatment.

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Meanings

phrase

alternative one can dish it, but one can't take it

  1. idiomaticinformalOne is able to express thoughts, criticism, or insults towards others, but cannot accept being on the receiving end of the same treatment.
Cite this entry
APA

one can dish it out, but one can't take it. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/one%20can%20dish%20it%20out%2C%20but%20one%20can't%20take%20it

MLA

“one can dish it out, but one can't take it.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/one%20can%20dish%20it%20out%2C%20but%20one%20can't%20take%20it. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “one can dish it out, but one can't take it,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/one%20can%20dish%20it%20out%2C%20but%20one%20can't%20take%20it.

Source: one can dish it out, but one can't take it on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.