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3. hit back

hit back

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hit back (at someone or something)

to strike someone or something back. Tom hit Fred, and Fred hit back at Tom. I have to hit back when someone hits me.

See also: back, hit

hit back

to react to something bad by doing something bad The attorney general hit back at critics who have questioned her handling of the crisis. We imposed import duties on their goods, and they hit back with tariffs on our products.

Etymology: based on the idea of literally hitting someone who has hit you

See also: back, hit