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answer back

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answer back

1. To respond angrily or rudely at an inappropriate or unwelcome time. Don't answer back to me, young lady. Your students don't respect you, that's why they always answer back when you try to discipline them.

2. To respond to a question or request. I called them last week, but they haven't answered back yet. If you don't answer back today, I'll assume you don't want to go to the game with me.

See also: answer, back

answer back (to someone)

 and answer someone back

to talk back (to someone); to argue (with someone). (Fixed phrase.) I wish you wouldn't answer back to me that way. Please don't answer me back like that! Don't answer backer I'll ground you for a week!

See also: answer, back

answer back

v.

1. To respond to a question or request; reply: After I requested a catalog from the clothing company many times, they finally answered back, saying they didn't have any catalogs left. We leave message after message with them, but they never answer us back.

2. To respond rudely or inappropriately: Don't answer back to your mother like that!

See also: answer, back