bite back
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle back
Meanings
Stop yourself from saying something that you really want to say
Why “back”? Something is prevented from moving, growing, or being expressed. It can also remain available as a backup.
“She bit back her angry reply.”
“He bit back a rude joke in class.”
Don't confuse with
Bite back means stop yourself from saying something that you really want to say. Bite off means remove a piece of something by biting it.
Test yourself
“She bit back her angry reply.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
bite off
A contrast learners often mix up
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Accept more work or responsibility than you can manage ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
choke back
Same back pattern: holding
Suppress an emotion welling up
cut back
Same back pattern: holding
Reduce sharply, especially expenditure; Reduce the amount of something, especially spending
fall back
Same back pattern: holding
Move backwards quickly, often in retreat; Use something as a backup when other options fail; Move into a position behind others
fight back
Same back pattern: holding
Defend yourself against an attack; Try to suppress a feeling like tears or anger
hang back
Same back pattern: holding
Hesitate to take part
hold back
Same back pattern: holding
Stop yourself from doing or saying something; Prevent someone or something from progressing; Refuse to give information or feelings
keep back
Same back pattern: holding
Withhold information or feelings
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