hit back phrasal verb (
see also hit)
to attack or criticize a person or group that has attacked or criticized you
Synonym : retaliatehit back at
The actress hit back at claims that she had threatened a member of staff.hit back with
United were a goal down, but hit back with an equalizer.hit back by doing something
He hit back by calling his critics ‘lazy’. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲