Crossword Genius

A bird in favour of cheap odds and ends gets retaliation in kind (3,3,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tit for tat

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'retaliation in kind' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a bird in favour of cheap odds and ends' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' is found in the answer.
'bird' could be 'tit' (tit is a kind of bird) and 'tit' is found within the answer.
'of' could be 'o' and 'o' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'gets' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tit for tat that I've seen before include "An eye for an eye" , "reprisal" , "Repayment in kind" , "Equivalent retaliation" , "Appropriate retaliation" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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