tit for tat

T t

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [tit fawr tat]
- /tɪt fɔr tæt/
- /tɪt fɔː(r) tæt/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [tit fawr tat]
- /tɪt fɔr tæt/

Definitions of tit for tat words

noun tit for tat with an equivalent given in retaliation, as a blow for a blow, repartee, etc.: He answered their insults tit for tat. 1
noun tit for tat revenge, retaliation 1

See all 2 definitions of tit for tat

Information block about the term

Origin of tit for tat

First appearance:

before 1550

One of the 31% oldest English words

First recorded in 1550-60; perhaps variant of earlier tip for tap

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Tit for tat

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Tit for tat

tit for tat popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 40% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

According to our data about 56% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

tit for tat usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for tit for tat

noun tit for tat

an eye for an eye — You say 'an eye for an eye' or 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth' to refer to the idea that people should be punished according to the way in which they offended, for example if they hurt someone, they should be hurt equally badly in return.
counterinsurgency — action taken by a government to counter the activities of rebels, guerrillas, etc
counterplay — a positive or aggressive action by the defending side, esp in chess
give and take — the quality or state of being resilient; springiness.
interplay — reciprocal relationship, action, or influence: the interplay of plot and character.

adv tit for tat

lex talionis — the principle or law of retaliation that a punishment inflicted should correspond in degree and kind to the offense of the wrongdoer, as an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; retributive justice.
measure for measure — a comedy (1604) by Shakespeare.
meed — a reward or recompense.

verb tit for tat

make for — to bring into existence by shaping or changing material, combining parts, etc.: to make a dress; to make a channel; to make a work of art.

All 13 Synonyms of tit for tat