shoot back
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle back
Meanings
Reply quickly and sharply
Why “back”? The action returns to the person who did it first.
“"Says who?" he shot back.”
“"Since when?" she shot back.”
Don't confuse with
Shoot back means reply quickly and sharply. Shoot out means move out very quickly.
Test yourself
“"Says who?" he shot back.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
shoot out
A contrast learners often mix up
Leave an enclosed place very quickly
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
hit back
Same back pattern: returning action
Retaliate
kick back
Same back pattern: returning action
Kick in response to an attack
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