bite back
1. To stop oneself from saying something that is potentially inappropriate, hurtful, or offensive. I had to bite back a snarky comment as my sister gushed about her new boyfriend. I bit back the rude comments that were dancing at the tip of my tongue. She had to keep biting back her anger as the CEO continued to discredit her work.
2. To retaliate against a verbal attack. I wouldn't talk badly about Tiffany, if I were you—she bites back. I mean, you heard the vicious rumor she started about the girl who stole her boyfriend! Come on, we have to bite back! They can't just say these awful things about us and get away with it! It's so frustrating when my mom makes comments about my appearance and I feel like I can't bite back.
3. To retaliate by biting, as by an animal. The dog lunged at the cat, and the cat bit back. It seems that their dog scared my dog, and she bit back. That animal looks feral to me—and liable to bite back if provoked!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
bite back
(at someone or something) 1. Lit. to defend an attack by biting at someone or something. (Usually an animal.) I threatened the dog and the dog bit back.
2. Fig. to fight back at someone; to return someone's anger or attack; to speak back to someone with anger. She is usually tolerant, but she will bite back if pressed. Yes, she will bite back.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.