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.”
Don't confuse with
Hit back means retaliate. Hit off means quickly become friendly with someone.
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.
hit off
A contrast learners often mix up
Quickly become friendly with someone ("hit it off")
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; Take revenge on someone; Arrive home or return; Reply to someone, often with information they asked for; Take revenge on someone
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
Strike back in retaliation
nod back
Same back pattern: returning action
Nod in response to a nod from someone else
Practice “hit back” in Sink In
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