Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
tit-for-tat
phrase
/ˈtɪt.fər.tæt/
Definition
a strategy or behavior in which one responds to an action with a similar action, often referring to reciprocal actions in a conflict.
Examples
- If you insult him, expect a tit-for-tat response.
- During negotiations, both sides engaged in a tit-for-tat exchange that made progress difficult.
- The siblings often indulged in tit-for-tat games, teasing each other relentlessly.
Meaning
The term implies a back-and-forth exchange where one person retaliates against another in the same way they have been treated.
Synonyms
- reciprocity
- retaliation
- give-and-take
- back-and-forth
