tit for tat

noun

1. with an equivalent given in retaliation, as a blow for a blow, repartee, etc..

   He answered their insults tit for tat.

tit for tat

noun

1. an equivalent given in return or retaliation; blow for blow

tit for tat

1. Giving back exactly what one receives: “If you hit me, I'll do the same to you; it's tit for tat.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of tit for tat¹

First recorded in 1550–60; perhaps variant of earlier tip for tap

Word History and Origins

Origin of tit for tat¹

C16: from earlier tip for tap

Idioms and Phrases

Repayment in kind, retaliation, as in If he won't help with the beach clean-up, I won't run a booth at the bake sale; that's tit for tat. This term is believed to be a corruption of tip for tap, which meant “a blow for a blow.” Its current form dates from the mid-1500s.