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bite back

British

verb

(tr, adverb) to restrain (a hurtful, embarrassing, or indiscreet remark); avoid saying

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He might just be saying it to try to get a reaction - to get under his skin and get a bite back.

From BBC • Dec. 21, 2023

"The macro is signalling you to sell or go short, but you'd be very cautious because of the ability of a short market to bite back," said Bhar.

From Reuters • Oct. 4, 2022

The hope was that after a year away from the league and an offseason that included EuroLeague Finals MVP honors, she’d give some bite back to the Storm defense.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 29, 2022

They should have known China’s top diplomat would bite back, and he did, in a 16-minute tirade.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2021

I bite back a twinge of disappointment and shoot him a quick text.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023