English · Phrasal verb Attested

strike back

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

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To respond to an attack by attacking one's opponent or opponents.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Phản công lại khi bị tấn công

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should—so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again.

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).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To leave or set out (in a particular direction, often to where one has been).

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

đi hoặc xuất phát theo một hướng nhất định

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

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

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To send (light, heat, a substance) in the direction of its source.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

gửi trở lại nguồn gốc của nó

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

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

Common questions

What does “strike back” mean?

To respond to an attack by attacking one's opponent or opponents.

Is “strike back” formal or informal?

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