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Glite Dictionary
to shot back

to shot back

18 4.8
To answer quickly in a sharp, angry way
  • phrasal verb
  • /ʃɑt bæk/
  • Informal
translation icon : replicar a
  • "I just made the appointment," Margie shot back, a warning edge in her voice.

Examples

  • "We all know you like men, period," Pat shot back at her.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "I always make that sound," he shot back over his shoulder, "when I'm about to save the ship."

    Fiction book (1991)

  • "I thought I'd dash over here and give you some very needed help," Jack shot back.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • "More than you have," she shot back, and wouldn't talk for the rest of the drive.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • "I know what Mama told me, but you're not Mama!" she shot back.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • "Don't tell me to shut up, big man," David shot back, his voice rising.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • "And you won't," he shot back, dropping his smile for the first time.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • "I'm not suggesting anything of the sort!" Meredith shot back, her voice rising.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • "You're not getting away with this," Marta shot back, though she knew he was right about her withdrawal.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • When criticized about her decision, she shot back with a quick retort, defending her choice.

Synonyms

to fight back
vsto shot back
188 3.3

Resist an attack or criticism by responding

is a quick verbal reply often defensive rather than physical resistance
to come back
vsto shot back
  • Informal
67 4.1

To reply quickly and strongly to a remark

is typically more defensive or angry rather than neutral or casual
to talk back
vsto shot back
  • Informal
46 5.4

Reply rudely to someone in charge like a teacher or boss

is a quick sharp answer often defending oneself rather than openly disobeying
to strike back
vsto shot back
34 4.9

To fight back after someone attacks or hurts you

is a fast spoken reply used to defend oneself rather than retaliate physically
to retort
vsto shot back
19 6.4

To reply quickly and sharply in a clever or angry way

is usually defensive or angry rather than clever or playful
to rejoin
vsto shot back
3 6.4

Answer a remark quickly in a clever or sharp way

is more defensive or angry than clever or witty in tone
to roar back
vsto shot back
1 6.9

To reply loudly and angrily to someone who insults you

is a quick sharp reply focused on words rather than loud aggression
to riposte
vsto shot back
1 9.0

To reply quickly and sharply in speech or as a counterattack

is often a quick angry defense rather than a planned counterattack
to snap someone's head off
vsto shot back
  • Offensive
8.0

To speak to someone in a sudden angry way without good reason

is a sharp quick reply usually meant to defend rather than insult
to counterthrust
vsto shot back
7.9

To make a quick attack or sharp reply in return to another action

is primarily a spoken quick reply rather than an attack or retaliation

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to keep quiet
90 2.5

To say nothing or not tell a secret

How Sharp

retort
14 6.1
to shot back
  • Informal
18 4.8
to reply
453 1.0

Surface Forms

shot back infinitive
shot back past
shot back past participle
shooting back present participle
shots back third person singular

Morphology

shot + back

The sense 'to reply quickly and sharply' is partially derivable from the constituents: 'shot' (a sharp attacking remark) plus 'back' (in return) yields the idea of returning an attack. However, the phrase relies on a metaphorical 'return fire' image and the exact nuance (quick, defensive, sharp) and verbal usage may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Shot back comes from the image of someone firing a gun in return; the words shot and back make you picture a fast, sharp action. That's why it now means 'to reply quickly and sharply'.