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

It’s also worth noting that the other side of today’s allegations – that individual MPs were hacked too – is not uncommon in the tit for tat cyber espionage world.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2024

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

From Reuters • Oct. 20, 2023

He previously said that he "opposed" removing Omar, arguing the party "should not engage in this tit for tat."

From Salon • Feb. 3, 2023

Any person would be tempted to go tit for tat; revenge and sticking it to your co-parent would feel good — for a moment.

From Washington Post • Feb. 9, 2022

“You may shoo me, and it suit you, But I feel my conscience bid Me, as tit for tat, to boot you!”

From Grimm Tales Made Gay by Levering, Albert