Tit for tat Meaning in English
expression
ˈtɪt/ /ˈfɔɹ/, /fɝ/, /fɹɝ/ /ˈtæt
TIT-fer-TAT
tˈɪt/ /fˈɔː/ /tˈæt
TIT-faw-TAT
Definition
A situation where someone responds to an action with a similar action, especially to get revenge or to balance things out.
Usage & Nuances
Mainly informal, used to describe equal retaliation. Common in conflict, politics, or daily situations. Often implies revenge, but can be neutral. Similar expressions include 'an eye for an eye.' Not used to describe forgiveness or random acts.
Spanish: ojo por ojo - toma y dacaPortuguese (BR): olho por olho - troca equivalentePortuguese (PT): olho por olho - troca equivalenteChinese (Simplified): 以牙还牙 - 以眼还眼Chinese (Traditional): 以牙還牙 - 以眼還眼Hindi: जैसा को तैसा - बदले मेंArabic: العين بالعين - المعاملة بالمثلBengali: চোখের বদলে চোখ - প্রতিশোধRussian: око за око - зуб за зубJapanese: やられたらやり返す - 報復Vietnamese: ăn miếng trả miếng - trả đũaKorean: 눈에는 눈, 이에는 이 - 맞대응Turkish: kısasa kısas - misillemeUrdu: آنکھ کے بدلے آنکھ - بدلہIndonesian: balas dendam - aksi balasan
Example Sentences
He pushed me, so I pushed him—it's tit for tat.
basic
Their competition turned into tit for tat attacks.
basic
Tit for tat is not always the best way to solve problems.
basic
They kept stealing each other's pens—classic tit for tat.
natural
After years of tit for tat, the two companies finally made peace.
natural
Sometimes I wonder if tit for tat just keeps arguments going.
natural