This started as a phrase meaning to serve food..from one dish to other plates. Now it can also mean giving out other things: 'dish out the books'. Recently it also means 'to be able to fight/defend oneself.' 'He can really dish it out.' ... 'He can fight well.'

dish it out= to administer punishment, injury, abuse, etc Example: He can dish it out, but he can't take it.

1. dishes The containers and often the utensils used when eating: took out the dishes and silverware; washed the dishes. 2. To present: dished up an excellent entertainment. 3. To hollow out; make concave. 4. Informal To gossip about. 5. Chiefly British Slang To ruin, foil, or defeat. v.intr. Informal To talk idly, especially to gossip. Phrasal Verb: dish out To dispense freely: likes to dish out advice. Idiom: dish it out Slang To deal out criticism or abuse.