ˌtit for ˈtat noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: Probably from tip for tap 'tit for tat' (1500-1600), from tip 'light blow' ( ⇒ tip¹) and tap 'light blow']
informal something bad that you do to someone because they have done something bad to you

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

tit for tat
[informal]
tit-for-tat - a tit-for-tat action is something bad that you do to someone because they have done something bad to you.
I forgot her birthday and so she didn't send me a card either. It was just tit for tat.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

tit-for-tat
[informal]
a tit-for-tat action is something bad that you do to someone because they have done something bad to you.
Six of the victims died in tit-for-tat attacks.
(always before noun)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

tit for tat
equal treatment in return for something, a fair exchange
The government policy was tit for tat to any attacks against its territory.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

tit for tat
n. phr. Equal treatment in return; a fair exchange.
Billy hit me, so I gave him tit for tat.
I told him if he did me any harm I would return tit for tat.
They had a warm debate and the two boys gave each other tit for tat.
Compare: GET BACK AT, EYE FOR AN EYE AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲