- tit for tat
- nounan equivalent given in return• Hypernyms: ↑return, ↑paying back, ↑getting even
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nblow for blow, retaliation, revenge, requital, reprisal, measure for measure, counterblow, counterbuff, counterchargeCOLLOQ. like for like, an eye for an eye (and a tooth for a tooth), a taste of your own medicine* * *
▶ noun RETALIATION, reprisal, counter-attack, counterstroke, comeback; revenge, vengeance, retribution, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, as good as one gets, payback; informal a taste of someone's own medicine.* * *
\\|titfə(r)|tat, usu -ad.+V\: an equivalent given in return (as for an injury) : retaliation in kindgave him tit for tat in the debate
she did not like this tricky tit for tat — Israel Zangwill
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with an equivalent given in retaliation, as a blow for a blow, repartee, etc.: He answered their insults tit for tat.[1550-60; perh. var. of earlier tip for tap]* * *
tit for tat1. An eye for an eye (a tip for a tap), retaliation in kind (tit-for-tatˈ adjective)2. A hat, usu shortened to titˈfer (Cockney rhyming sl)• • •Main Entry: ↑tit* * *
something that you do to harm someone because they have harmed youDerived Word: tit-for-tat* * *
tit for tat,blow for blow; like for like: »She hasn't the courage to give him tit for tat (Maria Edgeworth).
╂[perhaps alteration of earlier tip for tap blow for blow]* * *
/ˌtıtfɚˈtæt/ noun [noncount]: a situation in which you do something to harm someone who has done something harmful to youa tit for tat between two rival politicians
tit-for-tat adjtit-for-tat bombings
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a situation in which you do sth bad to sb because they have done the same to you•
the routine tit for tat when countries expel each other's envoys
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tit-for-tat assassinations by rival gangs
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
