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bite back

British

verb

(tr, adverb) to restrain (a hurtful, embarrassing, or indiscreet remark); avoid saying

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He might just be saying it to try to get a reaction - to get under his skin and get a bite back.

From BBC • Dec. 21, 2023

"The macro is signalling you to sell or go short, but you'd be very cautious because of the ability of a short market to bite back," said Bhar.

From Reuters • Oct. 4, 2022

The hope was that after a year away from the league and an offseason that included EuroLeague Finals MVP honors, she’d give some bite back to the Storm defense.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 29, 2022

The ability to bite back the worst things you think of saying, to drop an argument even when you’re sure you’re right, and to apologize fully, promptly, live, and with no strings attached, isn’t weakness.

From Washington Post • Aug. 15, 2021

I bite back what I was about to say and stare at the stack of paper in my hands.

From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023