settle (or square) accounts with
Have revenge on: an embittered Charlotte is determined to settle accounts with Elizabeth...- The idea, however, was rejected because of the potential danger of using the asset forfeiture bill for settling accounts with political opponents.
- Stalin believed Hitler would never attack the Soviet Union unless or until he had settled accounts with the British empire - because to do so would expose Germany to a war against too many enemies at once.
- The DSS has accused the government of using the state of emergency to settle accounts with its political opponents.
See parent entry: account