tit for tat

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   The practice of paying back harm or a rude act with a similar one, so that each side answers the other in turn.

   Grammar: Used as a noun phrase: the dispute became a game of tit for tat.

   Patterns

   • play tit for tat
   • a game of tit for tat
   • tit for tat with someone

   The two neighbors have been playing tit for tat over the fence for years.

   The argument turned into tit for tat, with each person bringing up an old mistake.

   Their trade war was a tit for tat that hurt both countries.

2. 2phrasebefore a noun

   Describing actions or replies that each answer a previous one in the same way, as in revenge or bargaining.

   Grammar: Hyphenated before a noun: a tit-for-tat response.

   Patterns

   • a tit-for-tat response
   • tit-for-tat attacks

   The two governments announced tit-for-tat tariffs on each other's goods.

   A tit-for-tat approach to gift giving can make friendships feel like a contest.

   Police warned of tit-for-tat attacks between the rival groups.

Common combinations

play tit for tat

Stop playing tit for tat and talk to each other.

tit-for-tat tariffs

Tit-for-tat tariffs raised prices in both countries.

tit-for-tat retaliation

Tit-for-tat retaliation made the situation worse.

a tit-for-tat dispute

The company was caught in a tit-for-tat dispute with its rival.

descend into tit for tat

The meeting descended into tit for tat within minutes.

Synonyms and how they differ

retaliation

Retaliation names the act of hitting back and is more serious, while tit for tat suggests a continuing back-and-forth.

an eye for an eye

An eye for an eye refers to equal punishment and sounds stronger and moral, but tit for tat is lighter and more everyday.

reciprocity

Reciprocity is neutral and can mean kind exchange, whereas tit for tat usually means unkind exchange.

quid pro quo

Quid pro quo means a fair exchange of favors, but tit for tat means returning harm.

Opposites

Word family

tit-for-tat adjective

describing a series of similar replies

retaliate verb

to strike back

retaliation noun

an act of paying back harm

reciprocal adjective

given or done in return

Commonly confused: tit for tat or quid pro quo?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “tit for tat”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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