get back at: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘get back at’ mean?
The idiom "get back at" means to seek revenge or retaliate against someone for something they have done to you.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "just deserts" means to receive the appropriate punishment or reward for one's actions.
The idiom "have one's back up" means to become defensive or angry due to feeling threatened or criticized.
The idiom "have it coming" means to deserve or expect something, usually negative, as a consequence of one's actions or behavior.
The idiom "give what for" means to scold or reprimand someone strongly or to give them a severe punishment or retribution. It conveys the idea of delivering a forceful response or a deserved consequence for someone's actions or behavior.
The idiom "give someone what-for" means to scold or punish someone severely for their actions or behavior. It implies giving someone a strong reprimand or retribution for their wrongdoings.
The idiom "give chase" means to pursue someone or something in order to catch or capture them.
The idiom "get what's coming to one" means to receive the punishment or consequences that one deserves for their actions or behavior.
The idiom "get well" means to recover from an illness or injury and return to good health.
The idiom "get the goods on" means to obtain incriminating or damaging evidence against someone or to gather information that can be used against them.
Unleash Hidden Revenge Potential
The idiom "get even" is closely related to the phrase "get back at". When someone wants to "get even" with someone, they are seeking to retaliate or seek revenge for a perceived wrongdoing. It carries the same sense of wanting to settle a score or balance the scales of justice. In essence, both idioms express the desire for retribution and retaliation.
The idiom "get someone's back up" is another expression that shares a connection with "get back at". When someone's back is up, it means they are feeling defensive or offended. So, if someone wants to "get someone's back up", they are actively trying to provoke or annoy that person. This can be seen as a form of revenge or retaliation by intentionally upsetting or angering someone.
The phrase "back at you" is often used as a response to a statement or action made by someone else. It is a way of saying that whatever they said or did will be returned in kind. In the context of "get back at", saying "back at you" implies that the person seeking revenge will retaliate in the same manner as the perceived offense. It emphasizes the concept of reciprocity and balancing the scales of justice.
The idiom "give someone what-for" is similar to "get back at" in that it involves confronting or challenging someone who has done something wrong. However, "give someone what-for" carries a stronger connotation of reprimanding or scolding rather than seeking revenge. It implies that the person will be held accountable for their actions and will face the consequences.
The expression "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" is a well-known idiom that signifies the concept of revenge or retaliation. It refers to the idea that retribution should be proportional to the offense committed. It aligns with the essence of "get back at" in seeking to balance the scales of justice. It suggests that revenge should be measured and in direct response to the perceived wrongdoing.
The idiom "get back at" is used to express the idea of seeking revenge or retaliation. It is closely related to idioms such as "get even", "get someone's back up", "back at you", "give someone what-for", and "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth". These idioms all carry the common theme of seeking retribution or balancing the scales of justice.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "get back at" can be used in a sentence:
- He wanted to get back at his brother for breaking his toy, so he hid his brother's favorite game.
- After being falsely accused, she planned to get back at her accuser by exposing the truth.
- The athlete trained hard for months to get back at his rival in the upcoming competition.
More "Revenge" idioms
