hit back
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle back
Meanings
Retaliate
Why “back”? The action returns to the person who did it first.
“The other side hit back hard.”
“The union hit back at the claim.”
Test yourself
“The other side hit back hard.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
answer back
Same back pattern: returning action
Reply in a defiant manner
call back
Same back pattern: returning action
Return a phone call; Try the phone call again; Recall a product because of a fault
fight back
Same back pattern: returning action
Defend yourself against an attack; Try to suppress a feeling like tears or anger
get back
Same back pattern: returning action
Return to a place; Reply to someone, often with information they asked for; Take revenge on someone; Receive something again that you had before
give back
Same back pattern: returning action
Return something to its owner; Make a contribution in return to a community or cause
kick back
Same back pattern: returning action
Kick in response to an attack
nod back
Same back pattern: returning action
Nod in response to a nod from someone else
pay back
Same back pattern: returning action
Return money that was borrowed; Take revenge on someone for something they did
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