get back at

1. Take revenge on, as in Watch out for Peter; he's sure to get back at you. Similarly, get one's own back means simply “get revenge,” as in She finally saw a chance to get her own back. The first expression dates from the late 1800s, the second from the early 1900s.

Example Sentences

President Donald Trump has been itching to get back at lawmakers who investigated his actions on Jan. 6 and he's willing to tear down the concept of presidential pardons to get it done.

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There was a stoppage in the second half, when Ireland were ahead, but the game was still in the balance, during which England's players were standing around in ones and twos having conversations, rather than getting huddled up and working out where they can get back at Ireland.

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He wants to get back at the Eagles for one that got away.

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You’ve read all the analysis about why people voted for Donald Trump — they felt forgotten, they were angry, they wanted to get back at the libs … on and on the reasons go, and we know to whom those reasons apply.

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That made the scientists wonder if Anchali was trying to get back at Mary by ruining her shower.

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