fight back
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle back
Meanings
Defend yourself against an attack
Why “back”? The action returns to the person who did it first.
“She fought back fiercely.”
“The boxer fought back in the final round.”
“The country fought back against the invasion.”
Try to suppress a feeling like tears or anger
Why “back”? Something wants to move forward or come out. You keep it back, so it stays behind a limit.
“She fought back tears.”
“He fought back a laugh during the speech.”
“She fought back her anger.”
Don't confuse with
Fight back means defend yourself against an attack. Fight off means repel an attacker or illness.
Test yourself
“She fought back fiercely.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
fight off
A contrast learners often mix up
Repel an attacker or illness
answer back
Same back pattern: returning action
Reply in a defiant manner
bite back
Same back pattern: holding
Stop yourself from saying something that you really want to say
call back
Same back pattern: returning action
Return a phone call; Try the phone call again; Recall a product because of a fault
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
get back
Same back pattern: returning action
Return to a place; Take revenge on someone; Arrive home or return; Reply to someone, often with information they asked for; Take revenge on someone
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