fight back phrasal verb (see also fight)

1. to work hard to achieve or oppose something, especially in a situation where you are losing:
United fought back and scored a last-minute goal.
fight back against
She was fighting back against the cancer.

2. to use violence or arguments against someone who has attacked you or argued with you:
The rebels are fighting back.

3. fight something ↔ back to try hard not to have or show a feeling:
She looked away, fighting back her tears.
He fought back the impulse to slap her.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲