tit for tat

American  

noun

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

   He answered their insults tit for tat.

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tit for tat British  

noun

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

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tit for tat Cultural  

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

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tit for tat Idioms  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of tit for tat

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

Example Sentences

In this tit for tat, though, California’s threats to respond have thus far proved ineffectual.

From Slate • Aug. 19, 2025

It's a tit for tat, following fresh U.S. curbs on chip exports.

From Reuters • Oct. 20, 2023

There is private shock here that Germany went public with this and a desire not to be drawn into a diplomatic tit for tat over it.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2023

The tit for tat grows more severe – and damaging – as the show progresses.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2023

It was tit for tat, and at once a roar of laughter and applause burst from the Englishmen present.

From With Rifle and Bayonet A Story of the Boer War by Brereton, F. S. (Frederick Sadleir)