bite back
Strike in response
To bite back is to suppress or restrain a response, especially one that would be emotional or impulsive: She bit back a sharp retort, He bit back tears.
The image is of physically holding something in the mouth rather than letting it escape.
Less commonly, bite back means to retaliate after being attacked or criticized: Critics expected her to stay silent, but she bit back hard.
Forcibly put an end to
- swallowSend down the throat
- stifleSuppress or restrain
- choke downConsume with great effort
- containHold within limits
restrain · curb · check · repress · inhibit · self-control · withhold · silence
Punishing a wrongdoer
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- vengeanceRetaliation for injury
payback · get even · reciprocate · settle scores · tit for tat · eye for an eye · counterstrike · backlash
Recovery after decline
rejoinder · cutting remark · sarcasm · barb · jab · wisecrack · verbal jab · sharp tongue
suppress
Forcibly put an end to
- swallowSend down the throat
- stifleSuppress or restrain
- choke downConsume with great effort
contain · restrain · curb · check · repress · inhibit · self-control · withhold · silence · muffle
revenge
Punishing a wrongdoer
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
vengeance · payback · get even · reciprocate · settle scores · tit for tat · eye for an eye · counterstrike · backlash · retaliate
comeback
Recovery after decline
riposte · rejoinder · cutting remark · sarcasm · barb · jab · wisecrack · verbal jab · sharp tongue · sting
bite backturn the other cheek
Refuse to retaliate
submit · back down · surrender · acquiesce · capitulate
bite backbite one's tongue
Refrain from speaking
hold back · suppress · swallow one's words · keep quiet · hold one's peace
back, bit, bite, biting, bitten, bites, biter, backbiting, backbiter