what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

If something is acceptable for one person, it is acceptable for another (often of the opposite gender).

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Nếu điều gì đó được chấp nhận cho một người, thì nó cũng được chấp nhận cho người khác

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

[…] sawce which is good for the Goose, I hope will be good for the Gander […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

One who treats others in a certain way should not complain about receiving the same treatment.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Người đối xử với người khác theo cách nhất định thì không nên phàn nàn khi nhận lại điều tương tự

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander” mean?

If something is acceptable for one person, it is acceptable for another (often of the opposite gender).

Is “what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.