with interest

1. With more than what one should receive, extra, and then some. For example, Mary borrowed Jane's new dress without asking, but Jane paid her back with interest—she drove off in Mary's car. This idiom alludes to interest in the financial sense. Its figurative use dates from the late 1500s.

Example Sentences

Unlike maintenance loans, which students have to repay with interest, maintenance grants do not have to be paid back.

From BBC

But the fate of the Dubai four will be watched with interest by Gulf-based organised criminals who, until last week, believed they were untouchable.

From BBC

The error would usually incur an initial £10 fine with interest of £10 per week added on top, the college said.

From BBC

The merger will be watched with interest by other universities looking at ways to collaborate to stabilise their finances.

From BBC

That will take some doing, especially in countries such as Brazil, where American football barely registers a blip on the sports radar with interest dwarfed by the passion for soccer.

From Los Angeles Times