English · Phrasal verb Attested

fight back

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To defend oneself by fighting.

Where it’s used: Used American English

The bully hadn't been expecting his victim to fight back, and now the bully has quadriplegia.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To defend oneself by fighting. — To counterattack (counterstrike); to resist an attack or respond after one.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

to repress; to struggle to repress.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

What does “fight back” mean?

To defend oneself by fighting.

Is “fight back” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.

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